HAMILTON GARDENS
DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN
2013
CONTENTS
PAGE
1INTRODUCTION
3
1.1 Management Plan process
1.2 Evolution of the Hamilton Gardens Management Plan
1.3 Planning context for the Hamilton Gardens Management Plan
1.4 Hamilton Gardens Strategic Plan
2
GOAL - TO DEVELOP AND INTERPRET A UNIQUELY THEMED CONCEPT
GARDEN THAT ADDRESSES THE CONTEXT, MEANING AND HISTORY OF
GARDENS
7
2.1 The concept
2.2 Garden collections
2.3 Garden interpretation
3
GOAL - TO ENHANCE THE IDENTITY AND PROSPERITY OF HAMILTON
WITH AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED GARDEN
16
3.1 Promoting Hamilton Gardens
3.2 Improving visitor facilities
3.3 Enhancing a high quality garden environment
3.4 Improving the Gardens’ connection with the Waikato River
4
GOAL - TO ENHANCE THE VALUE OF HAMILTON GARDENS TO THE
LOCAL COMMUNITY
22
4.1 Improving the economic benefit to the local economy
4.2 Events and activities
4.3 Catering for casual community use
4.4 Providing an educational resource
4.5 Improving access into and through Hamilton Gardens
5
GOAL - TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN HAMILTON GARDENS FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS
28
5.1 Conservation of natural and cultural features
5.2 Optimum asset management
5.3 Maintaining design integrity
5.4 Controlling long-term uses
5.5 Funding and sponsorship
5.6 Security of park assets and people
6
APPENDICES
37
6.1 Impact of changes to the planning framework
6.2 Schedule of land covered by this plan
7
INDEX
38
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 MANAGEMENT PLAN PROCESS
The Management Plan for Hamilton Gardens
and public use of Hamilton Gardens. The
is prepared to meet the requirements of
proposed revised plan will be promoted so
the Reserves Act (1977). The Act defines
parties with an interest can be consulted
the purpose, general form and process of
and to ensure that changing expectations
public consultation for development and
are considered. Submissions on this Draft
review of the Management Plan.
It also
Management Plan close on 29 November
requires the classification of the reserve
2013. People who have made submissions
to ensure management and development
have an opportunity to speak to them at a
are appropriate for the classified principal
Council subcommittee in February 2014.
purpose. Hamilton Gardens is classified as
The final plan is expected to be approved by
Recreation Reserve, except for the Hamilton
full Council in late February 2014.
East Cemetery, which is classified as Local
Purpose Reserve - Cemetery.
Since the last Management Plan was
(Reference Appendix 6.2)
adopted in 2000, new plans, legislation
and strategies have been developed that
The primary objectives of areas classified as
have had a significant impact on this Draft
Recreation Reserve are:
− “to allow the public freedom of entry and
access”; and
− “to conserve those qualities of the reserve
which contribute to the pleasantness,
harmony and cohesion of the natural
environment”.
Management Plan.
Management Plans are an important park
management tool, and provide a full link
between the legislation, wider Council
plans and policies and the more detailed
operational plans and standards specific
The preparation of this Draft Management
to Hamilton Gardens. Once approved, this
Plan has followed an extensive consultation
Management Plan will in time influence
process involving workshops, an open day
other planning and management processes
and publicity through a City News feature,
including
website and social media postings and
plans, contracts, marketing plans, key
press releases. A total of 411 submissions
performance
were received.
plans, design standards, job descriptions,
policy
reports,
indicators,
interpretation
operational
business plans, development plans, the
The purpose of this Management Plan is to
quality management plan and the asset
define strategies, objectives and policies for
management plan.
the development, operation, management
3
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.2 EVOLUTION OF THE HAMILTON GARDENS
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Hamilton Gardens is made up of areas that
were the East Town Belt, the Hamilton East
Cemetery, a former Rifle Range Reserve
and the site of a closed city rubbish tip. It
was not recognised as the site for a future
city gardens until the 1950s, but little
development occurred until the 1960s when
a portion of the area known as the Victorian
Flower Garden was partially developed.
With the development of the Rogers Rose
Garden for the 1971 World Rose Convention,
a general plan for the Governors Lawn was
drawn up. The first comprehensive plan was
developed with the initial Hamilton Gardens
Management Plan, produced in 1980. This
was primarily a development plan rather
than a policy document, but the concepts and
artist impressions generated enthusiasm
and support for the 1980s development
programme, including the construction of
the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion. The original
Management Plan was reviewed in 1992
when the concept was substantially refined
in a shorter policy document.
A second review in 2000 refined the concept
further, but maintained the overall direction,
themes and values underpinning the vision
for Hamilton Gardens since 1980. It also
broadened the scope, providing a strategic
element and development priorities. This
third review seeks to build on the strengths
of the previous plan.
4
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.3 PLANNING CONTEXT FOR THE HAMILTON GARDENS
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Figure 1:
Resource
Management Act
1991
Promotes the
sustainable
management of
natural & physical
resources
Hamilton City Council
Vision, Outcomes
& Goals
Reserves Act
1977
Requires the
classification of all
reserves & defines
the Reserves
Management Plan
process
Activity
Management Plan
2012
Defines levels of
services &
associated budget
requirements
Regional Policy
& Plan
Treaty of Waitangi
1974
Recognises the
relationship of
Tangata Whenua
with their ancestral
lands
Deed of Settlement
(Waikato River)
2009
Recognises joint
management of the
Waikato River, its
banks, streams &
water ways
Local Government
Amendment Act
2012
Places emphasis on
the role of assets to
deliver a service.
Reserve
management plans
become more
strategic in response
Hamilton
District Plan
2012
Identifies Hamilton
Gardens & cemetery
as "Recreation Major
Zone"
Nga Tapuwae O
Hotumauea
Long-Term Council
Community Plan &
Annual Plan
Define resources
available to
undertake work
Hamilton Gardens Management Plan
City & Council
Strategies
Active Hamilton
Sustainable Hamilton
Hamilton Arts Agenda
Economic Development
Local community
consultation
Management Plan
submissions;
Visitor surveys;
Annual Plan
submissions
Hamilton Gardens
Strategic Plan
2013
Developed by a
Council working
party in response to
public submissions
Development and
interpretation of a
uniquely themed
garden
Developing a visitor
attraction with an
international
reputation
Providing a park that
is valued & enjoyed
by the local
community
Sustainable
management of
Hamilton Gardens for
future generations
Hamilton Gardens (HG)
Design Statements
Provide detail on each
garden’s design &
specialist maintenance
requirements
HG Marketing Plan
Surveys &
strategies are
reviewed annually
Park Bylaws & Dog
Control Bylaws
Reviewed regularly
HG Sustainable
Management Plan
Reviewed annually to
meet Qualmark Green
certification
HG capital
works programme
Approved through the
Long-Term Council
Community Plan and
Annual Plan processes
HG Master Plan
Defines overall physical
site development
HG Education Plan
Linked to school
curriculum
HG Unit Business
Plan
Defines business
priorities for the
coming year
Leases, licences
& other park use
agreements
HG Quality
Management Plan
Defines how
customer services are
defined, measured &
improved
HG Quality
Management Plan
Defines the standards
in all aspects of
product delivery
Asset Management
Plan
Overview of asset
condition to ensure
assets remain fit for
purpose
HG Interpretation Plan
Defines visitors needs
through surveys &
identifies priorities &
delivery options
HG Accession Plan
Manages the Gardens'
taonga & collections
5
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.4 HAMILTON GARDENS STRATEGIC PLAN
A Hamilton Gardens Strategic Plan was
developed by a working party including
councillors,
specialist
advisers
and
Council staff after workshops and public
submissions. It is an aspirational plan
setting new goals and directions. The
decision on whether some of those will
be achieved will be dependent on other
processes and outside agencies, so the
inclusion of projects in the Strategic Plan
doesn’t necessarily mean that Council is
committed to funding them.
The Hamilton Gardens Strategic Plan has
shaped and informed this Draft Management
Plan. While the Draft Management Plan
makes all of the strategic goals possible,
its wider purpose (outlined in section 1.1)
makes it a very different kind of plan. For
example, it includes operational policy that
defines how the park will be managed on a
day-to-day basis.
The Hamilton Gardens Strategic Plan has
defined a vision, four strategic goals and a
number of strategic objectives within a ten
year time frame.
VISION:
Hamilton Gardens
is internationally
recognised as a uniquely
themed garden.
B. The 12 garden designs are completed
and the unique themes understood and
appreciated.
B.1 Complete the remaining
planned gardens within 10 years.
12
B.2 Help visitors understand and
appreciate the Garden’s unique concept
by developing an interpretation plan.
C. Hamilton Gardens delivers increased
value and enjoyment to the local community.
C.1 Increase the number of public
activities and events that complement
the Gardens environment.
C.2 Retain recreational use of the
Gardens by the local community.
C.3 Maintain and enhance access to
the Gardens.
C.4 Provide educational programmes
for schools that link to the curriculum.
C.5 Develop resources for children and
families.
D. Hamilton Gardens is supported by a
sustainable business and funding model,
including the protection of its conservation
values.
D.1 Develop a clear and sustainable
funding plan and business model.
D.2 Protect the principles of
conservation, garden authenticity and
accessibility required by the Reserves
Act and Treaty Settlement principles.
A. Hamilton Gardens is a “must-see” visitor
destination.
D.3 Provide skilled and committed
people to deliver on the Strategic Plan.
A.1 Develop marketing and product
initiatives to achieve the vision, increase
visitor numbers and assist with
financial sustainability of the gardens.
D.4 People and assets are kept safe
and secure through the development
and implementation of security and
asset management.
A.2 Improve visitor facilities and
infrastructure to enhance the visitor
experience.
A.3 Improve connections between the
Gardens and the Waikato River.
6
2.0 DEVELOPMENT AND INTERPRETATION
OF A UNIQUELY THEMED GARDEN
GOAL:
To develop and interpret a
uniquely themed concept
garden that addresses
the context, meaning and
history of gardens
2.1 THE CONCEPT
Since 1980 Hamilton Gardens has been
planned as a “conceptual garden” and this
now appears to have become a significant
garden type - although it is too soon to be
certain if it is to be the major garden trend of
the early 21st Century. Conceptual gardens
are generally an extension of conceptual art
and they have been defined as “gardens that
seek to portray an idea or concept, rather
than provide a landscape solution or plant
collection”. In the case of Hamilton Gardens,
the specific concept has more in common
with a modern gallery or museum than the
traditional botanic garden. For example,
the concept of New York’s Guggenheim
Museum has the same theme, although
referring to art, not gardens: “promoting an
understanding of the context, meaning and
history of art”.
At the time of writing there is reasonable
confidence no other garden in the world has
this theme. This point of difference provides
Hamilton Gardens with a significant
advantage. It has wide appeal, extending
well beyond people who just have an interest
in plants; providing the designs have historic
integrity, the story of gardens reflects the
story of civilisations, their arts, technology,
beliefs and lifestyles.
POLICY:
Hamilton Gardens will be developed as a
series of theme gardens that collectively
interpret the Gardens’ theme. Each garden
will sit within one of five thematic garden
collections:
-
Paradise Garden Collection
-
Landscape Garden Collection
-
Productive Garden Collection
-
Fantasy Garden Collection
-
Cultivar Garden Collection
(Strategic Plan objective B:1)
7
2.0 DEVELOPMENT AND INTERPRETATION
OF A UNIQUELY THEMED GARDEN
TIMELINE
The timeline in Figure 2 shows how the
collections of existing and proposed
gardens span the history of civilisation. The
horizontal lines show major movements,
cultures or traditions, while the vertical
lines show where the Hamilton Gardens
examples sit relative to those.
Apart
Figure 2:
from the Surrealist Garden, other planned
gardens will follow the same theme of
historical context. For example, the Rogers
Rose Garden traces the development of the
rose, from the species carried along the Silk
Route to the latest modern hybrids.
Empress
Josephine’s
Malmaison
rose collection
B:6
Landscape Formal
Garden
Joseph Banks
starts making NZ
plants available to
the world
A:5
Italian
Renaissance
Garden
C:5
Ancient Egyptian
Garden
D:1
Chinoiserie
Garden
D:4
Tudor
Garden
D:9
Medieval Garden
Medieval
Gardens
2000 BC 1000 BC
0
1000
English Renaissance Gardens
Restoration of old
industrial sites
Chinoiserie Gardens
Modernist Design
Natural Aesthetic Design
Italian Renaissance Gardens
1550
1500
1650
1600
1700
Char Bagh Garden Tradition
1800
1750
1850
1920
1900
1940
Arts & Cra s Movement
Picturesque Garden Tradition
(Romantic Period)
Chinese Scholar Gardens
B:4
Valley Walk
A:4
Modernist Garden
The Golden Age of
the Plant Hunters
Early Baroque
Ancient Egyptian Gardens
B:5
Hillside Lawn
E:2
Rhododendron
Lawn
1960
1980
2000AD
Conservation Movement
Conceptual
Gardens
Gardenesque
Sacred Woodlands
Muromachi
Era Gardens
European tate Kitchen Gardens
Pre-European Maaori Horticulture
Early 20 th
Century NZ Gardens
Park Cemetery
Movement
Late Baroque and Rococo
Tulip Mania
D:7
D:6
A:1
E:6
Chinese
Scholar’s Garden
Mansfield’s Garden
Picturesque
Garden
Dutch
Renaissance
Garden
A:3
C:4
English Flower
Garden
Te Parapara
Garden
B:1
Bussaco
Woodland
A:2
Japanese Garden
of Contemplation
B:2
C:2
Hamilton East
Park Cemetery
D:8
Rococo Baroque
Theatre Garden
Kitchen Garden
A:6
Nebuchadnezzar
Hanging Gardens
of Babylon
Indian Char
Bagh Garden
Edward Bunning
patents the
lawnmower
8
E:4
Victorian
Flower Garden
B:3
Echo Bank Bush
D:5
Concept
Garden
2.0 DEVELOPMENT AND INTERPRETATION
OF A UNIQUELY THEMED GARDEN
2.2 GARDEN COLLECTIONS
A. Paradise garden collection
A collection of gardens representing
significant small enclosed garden design
traditions. “Paradise” is derived from the
Persian word pairidaeza meaning “enclosed
garden”. The gardens representing different
cultures and historic periods have each
evolved to fulfil a different purpose.
A:1 Chinese Scholar’s Garden
(Existing)
A:2 Japanese Garden of
Contemplation (Existing)
A:3 English Flower Garden
(Existing)
An interpretation of the 10th-12th Century Sung
An example of the 14th-16th Century Muromachi
An example of the English 19th Century Arts
Dynasty gardens that were designed as natural
Period garden designed for quiet contemplation,
and Crafts gardens designed as a setting for
worlds of imagination and surprise. There have
meditation and study. This garden is comprised
plant collections and planned seasonal colour
been proposals to improve the historic integrity
of three types of Muromachi garden: the Zen
compositions.
of this garden with more appropriate rock work
Garden, the Scroll Garden, and the Stroll Garden.
were provided by Mrs Kathleen Braithwaite, a
and a grey tiled gallery along the two walls
Funds to build this garden were raised by the
former Hamilton Mayoress.
adjacent to the pond. Funds to build this garden
Japanese Garden Trust.
Funds to develop this garden
were raised by the Chinese Garden Trust.
A:4 Modernist Garden (Existing)
A late 20th Century garden designed for outdoor
A:5 Italian Renaissance Garden
(Existing)
A:6 Indian Char Bagh Garden
(Existing)
living with a design form influenced by modern
An interpretation of a 15th-16th Century
An interpretation of a 16th-17th Century
Renaissance garden in which the owners sought
symbolic four-quartered Islamic garden built
to rationalise, control and improve upon nature.
for the Mughal aristocracy as an escape from
Funds to develop this garden were raised by the
a harsh dry environment. Between the 8th and
Renaissance Garden Trust.
18th centuries this form of four-quartered
art movements. Funds to develop this garden
were raised by the American Modernist Garden
Trust.
garden spread throughout the Muslim world
from Asia to North Africa and Spain. Funds to
develop this garden were raised by the Indian
Char Bagh Garden Trust.
9
B. Landscape garden collection
Different attitudes and philosophies about
modifying the landscape have ranged from
veneration and domination, to conservation
and restoration. This collection of gardens
demonstrates how each of these different
philosophies has shaped people’s attitudes
to nature.
B:1 Bussaco Woodland
(Substantially complete)
B:2 Hamilton East Park
Cemetery (Existing)
B:3 Echo Bank Bush (Existing)
In ancient times the natural world was mostly
This is an example of the influence of the
indigenous flora is maintained as an example
seen as a threat but from the 3rd to 17th
late 19th/early 20th Century Park Cemetery
of the 20th Century conservation tradition
Centuries, specific tranquil, isolated woodland
Movement that sought to improve community
associated with philosophers Henry Thoreau and
areas in Europe and Asia were valued as
behaviour
environmental
Willy Lange. Apart from the removal of unwanted
aesthetic and religious retreats. The associated
conditions. Park cemeteries evolved from the
plants, little development is proposed except for
philosophies were inspired by figures like
philosophies of people like Jeremy Bentham and
a boardwalk providing access into the area so
Confucius, Laozi and St Francis of Assisi. This
are significant because they were really the first
that people can see the bush and spectacular
area will require further development with
urban parks open to the general public. Further
cliff face.
planting and lookouts.
development will introduce the period detail of a
with
improved
The existing very steep area of remnant
Victorian cemetery.
B:4 Valley Walk (Half the area fully
developed)
B:5 Hillside Lawn (Existing)
This is an example of the major landscape trend
B:6 Formal Landscape Garden
(Proposed)
This landscape garden in the 20th Century
involving the restoration of disused industrial
A classic 17th/18th Century Baroque garden
sites and parkland. In this case the site was the
which projected the owner’s power and wealth.
city rubbish dump in the 1960s.
These highly structured gardens reflect complete
Naturalistic/Aesthetic
style
uses
plants
indigenous to the Hamilton district to recreate
a semi-natural looking environment. Although
domination of the natural world by man, a
generally considered a contemporary form, it is
philosophy usually associated with Niccolo
derived from the original philosophies of Johan
Machiavelli and Blaise Pascal. It is proposed
von Goethe and Jens Jensen. The main portion
the front façade of a Baroque mansion would
of the gully between Turtle Lake and Hungerford
screen the proposed ring road intersection
Crescent is almost complete.
The remaining
with the garden stretching westward between
portion of the gully east of Hungerford Crescent
formal blocks of trees. Since it will take at least
is yet to be developed as a Waikato wetland.
a decade for the tree framework to mature, the
Eventually an underpass under Hungerford
garden may be developed in two stages with the
Crescent should join the two sections and
first involving levelling the site and planting the
complete the link in the circuit around the
surrounding tree framework.
Landscape Garden Collection.
10
C. Productive garden collection
A collection of gardens representing different
forms of productive gardening, ranging from
early agriculture and estate kitchen gardens
to a modern form of sustainable gardening.
C:1 Herb Garden (Existing)
C:2 Kitchen Garden (Existing)
A traditional herb garden displaying plants
Based on the traditional 17th-19th Century
C:3 Sustainable Backyard Garden
(Existing)
for culinary, cosmetic, perfume and medicinal
European kitchen gardens, this garden displays a
A small enclosed garden demonstrating modern
purposes, particularly those used by 19th
range of vegetables and small fruits maintained
principles of sustainable food production on
Century New Zealand colonists. This garden was
by Wintec students and staff. This is a display
a backyard scale. This garden was developed
developed in conjunction with the Waikato Herb
garden so produce is not always harvested at the
in conjunction with the Waikato Permaculture
Society.
optimum time.
Trust.
C:4 Te Parapara Garden (Existing)
A garden demonstrating traditional Maaori
C:5 Ancient Egyptian Garden
(Proposed)
horticulture, with particular reference to the
The recreation of a 2000 BC Egyptian garden
gardens along the local Waikato riverbanks
in pre-European times. Funds to develop this
garden were raised by the Te Parapara Garden
Trust.
representing one of the very first decorative and
functional garden traditions of the ancient world.
While quite a lot is known about ancient Egyptian
gardens, there are no known examples of a lifesize one being recreated.
11
D. Fantasy garden collection
This collection represents the different genres
of garden fantasy that have transcended
different cultures and inspired most garden
design innovation. These gardens include
references to mythical gardens, other
cultures and climates, elements of mysticism
and surrealism, and gardens that provide a
setting for fantasy events and artwork.
A garden incorporating elements of Chinoiserie
D:2 Tropical Garden (Under
development)
D:3 Surrealist Garden (Under
development)
design, which were fashionable and fanciful
A common garden fantasy is to use plants from
A garden exploring the mysterious world
other climatic regions, such as an alpine garden
of fantasy and the subconscious mind with
in London or an English flower garden in the Las
distortions of scale and surreal garden features.
Vegas desert. This example is a lush tropical-looking
Everything in the garden will be five times the
garden growing in a temperate Waikato climate with
normal size and the giant topiary figures may
frosts. Funds for this garden are being raised by the
even move.
Hamilton Gardens Development Trust.
Hamilton Gardens Development Trust.
D:4 Tudor Garden (Under development)
D:5 Concept Garden (Proposed)
D:6 Picturesque Garden (Proposed)
An interpretation of a 16th Century English
A 21st Century garden that seeks to portray an
An artificially created wild natural landscape
Renaissance garden with a raised gallery, small
idea or statement rather than a design solution,
with artificial historic features representing the
banqueting pavilion and intricate knot garden. The
in a manner similar to conceptual art.
18th Century Picturesque garden tradition often
D:1 Chinoiserie Garden (Existing)
European interpretations of Oriental design
in the late 18th and 19th Centuries. Funds to
develop this garden were raised by the Lions
Club of Hamilton-Chartwell and Friends of
Hamilton Gardens.
Funds are being raised by the
associated with the Romantic Period.
fantasy elements are the collection of mythical,
heraldic animals. Funds for this garden are being
raised by the Hamilton Gardens Development Trust.
D:9 Medieval Garden (Proposed)
Recreation of the early 19th Century New Zealand
D:8 Rococo/Baroque Theatre
Garden (Proposed)
garden described in Katherine Mansfield’s
A 18th/19th Century German or Austrian Rococo
courtyard garden based, as many were, on the
fictional story, The Garden Party.
/Baroque garden which provided a dramatic
famous poem, Roman de la Rose.
D:7 Mansfield’s Garden (Proposed)
theatrical setting; the garden equivalent of
classical music.
12
An example of a 13th Century European
E. Cultivar garden collection
A collection of gardens telling the story
behind well-known garden plants selected
and bred for the garden. This will include
the stories of the plant hunters, collectors,
breeders and speculators.
E:1 Rogers Rose Garden
(Existing)
E:2 Rhododendron Lawn
(Existing)
E:3 Hammond Camellia Garden
(Existing)
Several rose collections telling the story of the
A selection of species and cultivars focusing on
A garden showing the range of Camellia from
the development of azalea and rhododendron.
species to a diversity of modern cultivars.
Further development will include collections
Developed in conjunction with the Waikato
of significant species, historic classics, Jury
Camellia Society.
history and development of the modern rose from
specie roses grown in the ancient world to the
modern hybrid. These stories include Empress
Josephine’s Malmaison roses, Jean Baptiste
Guillot and the first hybrid tea rose, Francis
Meilland and the Peace rose and trials of the
hybrids, species collected by the plant hunters
and modern New Zealand hybrids.
latest rose releases. Developed in conjunction
with the Waikato Rose Society.
E:4 Victorian Flower Garden
(Existing)
E:5 New Zealand Cultivar Garden
(Proposed)
E:6 Dutch Renaissance Garden
(Proposed)
A garden featuring tender tropical and temperate
A garden displaying New Zealand plants selected
A 17th Century Dutch Renaissance garden telling
plants selected and grown for their exotic colour.
and bred for foliage and flower colour.
the story of the golden age of plant importation
These were usually displayed in glasshouses and
by the Dutch East India Trading Company and
bedding schemes laid out on perfect, flat lawns in
tulip speculation in the 1630s.
the 19th Century Gardenesque tradition. Further
period features could be added such as a floral
clock, band stand or statue of Queen Victoria.
13
2.0 DEVELOPMENT AND INTERPRETATION
OF A UNIQUELY THEMED GARDEN
Figure 3:
GARDEN
COLLECTIONS
14
2.0 DEVELOPMENT AND INTERPRETATION
OF A UNIQUELY THEMED GARDEN
2.3 GARDEN INTERPRETATION
Garden visitors have diverse needs that can
only really be met with different forms and
levels of information. On-site casual visitors
usually anticipate a relaxed and enjoyable
experience, information cannot be forced
on them and should generally be relevant,
easy to understand and presented as part of
a narrative or story. However, many visitors
want to know more about the gardens they
are experiencing and feedback suggests
that most people enjoy Hamilton Gardens
more when they know more.
Traditionally park interpretation has
focused on signage, guide books, brochures
and information centres but new mobile
technology is taking some of the emphasis
away from these traditional options. When
the Hamilton Gardens Management Plan
was last reviewed nobody was anticipating
the technology now available and there is
no longer the clear division between on-site
and off-site information systems. However,
while the form of delivery is constantly
evolving, the basic content will generally
remain much the same.
The concept for Hamilton Gardens provides a
number of opportunities to engage people’s
interest in specific subjects that interest
them, not just plants and gardening. The
wide range of examples can be as diverse
as the conservation movement, cooking with
herbs or religious symbolism. Engagement
can also be promoted through the telling of
stories; a strength of the Hamilton Gardens
concept is that it can tell many stories from
different cultures and periods in history.
located at entrances, clearly laid out and
readable within 20 seconds. Too many signs
can turn a garden into a museum exhibit.
The other major consideration is the cost of
vandalism to signs that periodically occurs.
So, while there will always be a place for
signage, other opportunities are becoming
available such as the mobile devices that
most people now carry.
At present there is very limited mobile
network or wireless coverage over the
Hamilton Gardens site because of the
topography. This restricts development
of
electronically
delivered
garden
interpretation and frustrates some tourists.
Mobile technology provides an ideal medium
to tell stories with scope for pictures and
even music appropriate to each garden.
Mobile applications (apps) can be tailored to
particular types of visitor, such as a Chinese
language guide, or a young children’s guide
where they can discover what’s behind 10
mysterious doors. On entering a garden,
the relevant information can be triggered by
field beacons or GPS positioning. For someone with a very specific interest,
links can also be provided to a vast range
of information from other sources. It is
anticipated on-site access to the website
and downloadable apps will in time gradually
replace most of the need for printed site
maps.
The Information Centre may also
be able to capitalise on new technology with
large, interactive touch screen instead of
displays and brochure racks. A theatrette
for an audio visual introduction to the
Gardens may still be desirable because
while this information can easily be made
available online, it isn’t as dramatic as a
large screen in a darkened room.
There will always be a place for some
signage.
Garden entrance signs are
important to make the visitor aware of the
garden they are about to enter. Research has
also shown that information signs should be
15
POLICY
Interpretation at Hamilton Gardens will
focus on explaining the concept, the
gardens and the promotion of other local
attractions and visitor amenities.
(Strategic Plan objective B:1)
Goal
To develop and interpret a uniquely themed
concept garden that addresses the context,
meaning and history of gardens.
KEY ACTIONS
The following priorities are proposed,
subject to resources being available:
1.
By 2018 complete the three gardens
currently under development: The
Tropical Garden, Tudor Garden and
Surrealist Garden;
2.
Complete development of the other
nine proposed gardens with priority
given to those located in the central
enclosed area as they are likely to
provide the best return on investment
for the city;
3.
Introduce wireless connectivity and/or
mobile network coverage for the lower
areas of the site;
4.
Develop downloadable apps, and
implement garden entrance beacons
or a GIS positioning system to allow
full advantage to be taken of mobile
technology;
5.
Develop more information on each
garden which can be used in different
media;
6.
Introduce further interpretive and
directional signage; and
7.
Complete the existing gardens such
as the Valley Walk, Park Cemetery and
Echo Bank Bush.
3.0 DEVELOPING HAMILTON GARDENS AS
A “MUST-SEE” VISITOR DESTINATION
GOAL:
To enhance the identity
and prosperity of Hamilton
with an internationally
recognised garden
3.1 PROMOTING HAMILTON GARDENS
The event and visitor industries are
interdependent and play an important role
in the local economy. When the Waikato
Expressway bypasses the city in 2019,
enticing travellers to turn off into Hamilton
will become a significant challenge. Part
of the solution will be the promotion
of Hamilton Gardens as a “must-see”
attraction, along with prominent signage
from State Highway 1.
Marketing of Hamilton Gardens is focused
on four key objectives:
− Promoting the reputation and awareness
of Hamilton Gardens, its concept and point
of difference;
− Encouraging people to visit Hamilton
Gardens and, in the case of visitors to the
city, to stay in the district longer;
− Developing the business opportunities
associated with Hamilton Gardens, such as
tour packages and event bookings; and
− Encouraging support and sponsorship for
ongoing garden development.
A marketing plan is developed for Hamilton
Gardens annually. At the time of writing,
the marketing budget is modest, but each
plan can easily be expanded, or priorities
changed as resources and opportunities
become available. Monthly visitor survey
results point to the effectiveness of
marketing strategies, and pedestrian and
vehicle counters monitor trends in visitor
use. Some surveys are targeted at specific
customer groups such as tour companies
or event organisers. Survey results suggest
local residents are aware of and visit
Hamilton Gardens, so marketing is focused
on tourists.
With modest resources, marketing has
focused on target markets, partnerships,
leveraging off other brands, and the visitors
themselves. Opportunities for marketing
directly to or from the visitor during their visit
could be substantially increased if Hamilton
Gardens had mobile network or wireless
coverage. Overseas visitors would then be
16
3.0 DEVELOPING HAMILTON GARDENS AS A “MUST-SEE” VISITOR DESTINATION
3.1 PROMOTING HAMILTON GARDENS
able to share their photographs immediately
with friends and family via social media.
New technology provides the opportunity
to personalise messages in a specific
language, or to a specific market segment. It may also change the way donations and
sponsorship are sought. For example, with
a decreasing number of people carrying
cash, the donation box could be replaced
with a direct appeal to the visitor through
their mobile device.
Working in partnership with other
organisations such as Hamilton & Waikato
Tourism or the Hamilton Gardens Cafe will
make shared resources go further. There
are also opportunities to leverage off other
brands, particularly at a local level. For
example, the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival
was originally organised by Gardens staff
as a way of promoting local awareness of
Hamilton Gardens. The Scarecrow Festival
was organised to promote awareness of
the Kitchen Garden. These events attract
independent sponsorship and support while
still promoting Hamilton Gardens.
Recently more attention has been given
to promoting Hamilton Gardens as an
events venue, particularly since more city
facilities have been developed and compete
directly with the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion.
Themed events utilising specific gardens,
such as conference drinks or dinner, can
also be used to promote Hamilton as an
event venue in competition with other cities.
Higher charges could be considered where
an event had exclusive use of a garden, such
as pre-dinner drinks in the Renaissance
Garden. The Reserves Act limits the number
of times this can happen in a year and
defines a process to advertise closure of
garden areas.
Work has also begun on adding value to a
garden visit by promoting tourist packages
to meet market demand. Survey results
suggest a small entry fee into Hamilton
Gardens would discourage most tour
companies because the commission
wouldn’t cover their costs. However, a
package worth between $30 and $50 per
person - perhaps involving a garden tour,
boat trip and meal - provides sufficient
commission to tour operators. In some
cases packages are being tailored for a
specific market (or customer) request.
POLICY: Hamilton Gardens staff will work with
strategic partners to promote Hamilton
Gardens as an iconic “must-see” destination.
(Strategic Plan objective A:1)
POLICY:
Tourist and event products that offer added
value will be developed to meet market
demand and increase revenue opportunities.
(Strategic Plan objective A:1)
17
3.0 DEVELOPING HAMILTON GARDENS AS A “MUST-SEE” VISITOR DESTINATION
3.2 IMPROVING VISITOR FACILITIES
While visitors generally come to see the
gardens, other facilities and services
contribute to their overall Hamilton
Gardens experience. These include parking,
orientation, toilet facilities, souvenirs,
obtaining information, the quality of the cafe
and the helpfulness of staff.
Hamilton Gardens has all-weather parking
for approximately 500 cars and seven buses.
In fine weather when the ground is dry,
parking can be made available for another
1000 cars on grassed areas. However, more
than 50 per cent of the permanent car parks
are accessed through Gate 2, but most
visitors choose to use Gate 1, so the Turtle
Lake car park is often full. An all-weather
extension to this car park will be required,
although the subsurface landfill in the area
may require a flexible paved surface.
There are four public toilet facilities within
Hamilton Gardens. The new toilet facility
near the cafe and information centre is
generally well received and the toilets
inside the Pavilion were recently upgraded.
There are old toilets in the Victorian Flower
Garden requiring improvement. Before that,
consideration will need to be given to
upgrading the Hamilton East Cemetery toilet
to meet modern standards, or removing it.
Two further toilets are proposed: one near
the Rogers Rose Garden and the proposed
playground site, and the other will be
considered for the western Baroque Theatre
Garden end of the Enclosed Gardens once
the rest of the central group of gardens are
developed. Sewer connections are difficult
in the lower areas of Hamilton Gardens
where pump stations are required.
Entrance signage can be developed
to improve visitors’ orientation and
understanding of the concept without giving
the impression of entering a theme park.
Signage and the playground are covered in
sections 3.3 and 4.3 respectively.
The Hamilton Gardens Cafe and Lakeside
Function Centre are leased by Council to
a private operator. The primary benefit of
the cafe to Hamilton Gardens is in catering
for the garden visitor and tour groups.
The function centre side of the operation
improves the economic viability of the
business. The current operator’s lease runs
from 2012 to 2017 with a right of renewal
to 2022, and includes a key performance
indicator around customer satisfaction.
Some of the regular surveys undertaken
in Hamilton Gardens assess the cafe in
terms of the range, price and quality of food,
cleanliness and customer service. Further
improvements will be made to the facility
itself, particularly the terraces overlooking
Turtle Lake and screening off the cafe
service yard.
The primary roles of the Information Centre
are to:
− Provide information about Hamilton
Gardens;
− Promote Hamilton Gardens’ features,
other local attractions and visitor facilities;
− Offer a booking service for events held
within Hamilton Gardens;
− Provide an operations centre for public
use of the gardens and Pavilion;
− Provide a contact centre for visitors who
have questions or meet locals;
− Generate income through the sale of
merchandise such as guides and souvenirs;
− Encourage cash donations towards garden
development; and
− Hire equipment such as mobility scooters,
wheelchairs, chairs and chess pieces.
The Reserves Act allows for commercial
activities on reserves providing they are
“necessary for public enjoyment of the
reserve”. For the sale and hire of goods,
this has been interpreted as items falling
into one of three categories:
− Interpretative guides, maps and apps for
Hamilton Gardens and the local region;
− Approved souvenirs of Hamilton Gardens
which may include items directly related to
the garden theme; and
− Sale or hire of equipment that may be
needed by visitors while enjoying the
gardens, such as umbrellas, sun block, or
camera batteries.
At present the Friends of Hamilton Gardens
run the shop and hire service with all
profits going towards Hamilton Gardens
projects. This arrangement operates under
a three-year Heads of Agreement between
the Friends and Council. There is general
agreement the retail offering, particularly
Hamilton Gardens souvenirs, should be
of a very high standard. Council will be
working with the Friends to make further
improvements to customer service and the
retail offer.
18
POLICY:
Permanent on-site car parks are
provided for normal visitor levels while
temporary on-site parking is provided for
major events.
(Strategic Plan objective A:2)
POLICY:
The Hamilton Gardens Cafe and
Lakeside Function Centre will support
and complement public use of Hamilton
Gardens and Pavilion.
(Strategic Plan objective A:2)
POLICY:
The role of the Information Centre is to
assist garden visitors and tourists and to
promote Hamilton Gardens’ features and
other city and regional attractions. All
trading activities in the Centre should
support and enhance these roles.
(Strategic Plan objective B:2)
3.0 DEVELOPING HAMILTON
GARDENS AS A “MUST-SEE”
VISITOR DESTINATION
Figure 4:
LOCATION MAP
19
3.0 DEVELOPING HAMILTON GARDENS AS A “MUST-SEE” VISITOR DESTINATION
3.3 ENHANCING A HIGH QUALITY GARDEN ENVIRONMENT
Most of the world’s highly regarded gardens
have elements or associations that engage
the imagination, such as a religious or
historic association. Almost all provide an
attractive, peaceful garden environment
where people can escape to with minimal
commercial intrusion or other distractions.
There is usually a carefully planned
sequential experience creating anticipation
and surprise. Design is a key element of
an attraction such as Hamilton Gardens, so
it is important a high standard of design is
achieved and maintained. While the concept
includes considerable diversity, there should
still be some unifying themes and continuity
in elements such as signage.
A lot of thought has been given to the way
people will experience Hamilton Gardens
as they move from space to space, so
consideration must be given to the design
intent and the planned sequence. For
example, in some gardens the most
striking feature is at the entrance and after
that nothing quite matches the original
impression. With lessons learnt from the
great gardens, Hamilton Gardens’ entrances
are kept deliberately low key to reveal a little
at a time, building anticipation to create a
sense of surprise and personal discovery.
The visitor can never be sure what they will
discover around the next corner.
Another key objective is to engage the
imagination, and the concept of Hamilton
Gardens provides many opportunities to
include this. In the different gardens you
might imagine yourself as a Renaissance
prince, Mughal emperor or Chinese
scholar, or having tea with the vicar in an
English flower garden. Some gardens
include mysterious doors and mythical
beasts. The stories of A Hundred and One
Nights were told in an Indian Char Bagh
Garden rather like this one. The Mansfield
Garden, Medieval Garden and Egyptian
Garden are proposed recreations of famous
fictional gardens. In the Tropical Garden
or display houses you could believe you are
in a luxuriant tropical setting, while in the
Surrealist Garden you may feel as if you are
only 30cm tall.
Another important aim in this “theatre of
illusion” is to minimise distractions of the
everyday world. Hamilton Gardens staff try
to create a magical world where the plants
never look diseased or stressed in dry
weather, there are no weeds or litter, paths
and walls are clean, the water sparkles, there
is no evidence of vandalism or distracting
noisy activities, people are friendly and
flowers bloom in robust profusion. Creating
this illusion requires considerable hard
work and constant vigilance.
Services such as power and water are
generally laid underground or otherwise
screened from public view. Most pump
rooms and electrical stations within
Hamilton Gardens are already well screened.
Automatic irrigation systems have been
installed through the central areas to
allow night-time irrigation of gardens and
lawns. Apart from improving presentation
standards, conserving water and reducing
labour costs, night-time irrigation avoids
disruption to visitor access.
Service lanes through the central areas link
most gardens to the maintenance centre. The
intention is the service lane and service nodes
within the Enclosed Gardens are completely
hidden from public view and blocked from
public access so visitors are unaware they
even exist. Cars and trucks are not permitted
beyond defined roadways, except for service
vehicles and controlled parking on some
grassed areas in dry weather.
To meet every demand Hamilton Gardens
could quickly become filled with a wide
variety of signs detracting from a magical
garden setting, and in some areas like
the Japanese Garden of Contemplation it
isn’t appropriate for any form of sign to be
used. So, as in the previous plan, there
are restrictions on signage that is neither
interpretive or directional.
The only permanent commercial signs
permitted will be for valid on-site
permanent commercial activities.
At
present that involves the cafe and the river
boat operation. A commercial sign relevant
to a new development may be permitted
during the period of development. Signs
advertising events, or sponsors associated
with the event, are permitted on a temporary
basis in accordance with the provisions in
the District Plan. Standard event signs are
permitted on the Cobham Drive frontage for
a period of no more than two weeks prior
and during an event. They must also meet
the requirements of Transit NZ and the
District Plan.
20
POLICY:
The physical and visual intrusion of utility
services will be minimised, including
roading, services and utility structures.
Park “service only” lanes within the
Enclosed Sector will be screened from
public view where practical. Unauthorised
vehicle access will be restricted beyond
the main entrance roads and designated
car parks. Bicycle access is restricted to
roads and designated cycleways within
Hamilton Gardens.
POLICY: All signs will be designed and located so
as not to detract from the gardens and
signage standards and colours will ensure
brand continuity. Signage within Hamilton
Gardens will be restricted to signs
necessary for direction, interpretation,
acknowledgement and promotion of
garden projects and events located within
Hamilton Gardens. Signs that recognise
sponsorship will be limited to the life of
the associated asset or event.
3.0 DEVELOPING HAMILTON GARDENS AS A “MUST-SEE” VISITOR DESTINATION
3.4 IMPROVING THE GARDENS’ CONNECTION WITH THE
WAIKATO RIVER
The Waikato River is an outstanding natural
asset for Hamilton Gardens and, in terms of
urban riverscapes, it could be considered
world class. Hamilton Gardens is one of
the few places where most city visitors
are likely to get a close view of the river.
While this management plan recognises
the importance and scope of river-related
development, this is currently being
reviewed in the wider city context of the
River Development Review.
The Waikato-Tainui Environment Plan
emphasises the importance of the Waikato
River as a tupuna (ancestor) which has
mana (prestige) and in turn represents the
mana and mauri (life force) of the tribe.
The 2003 Plan Nga Tapuwae O Hotumauea:
Maori Landmarks on Riverside Reserves
outlines principles for the management of
17 historic pa sites located within riverside
reserves, including the Ngati Wairere
Te Parapara Pa which was located on
the Hamilton Gardens site. The cultural
status of the river to local hapu has been
recognised in the 2009 Waikato–Tainui and
Crown Deed of Settlement which requires
joint management of the Waikato River
and its riverbanks to restore and protect its
health and wellbeing for future generations.
These documents, particularly the Waikato
River Joint Management Agreement
between Hamilton City Council and WaikatoTainui provide the basis for consultation and
partnership in regards to any river use or
riverside development.
A river tour boat currently operates from
the Hamilton Gardens jetty located in the
centre of the site below the Turtle Lake car
park. This jetty is currently in a poor state
of repair and substantial work is required
to upgrade or replace it and improve access
from the car park. Swimmers are attracted
to this spot by the adjacent cliffs which they
can dive off and this also creates behaviour
problems and a safety hazard. An alternative
jetty site is proposed below the Renaissance
Pavilion. With stairs and possibly a lift
inside the Pavilion, visitors arriving by boat
would have direct access into the heart of
the Enclosed Gardens. The storeroom
within that Pavilion could also be converted
into a small audio visual theatre to provide
a dramatic introduction for tourists arriving
by boat.
There are six riverside gardens still to be
developed or completed. The Tudor Garden
and Lawn Court are still to be finished,
the Concept Garden, Picturesque Garden
and Baroque Theatre Garden are planned
for future development and decking is still
to be constructed over to the steep cliffs
within Echo Bank Bush. Eventually the
river walkway south to Hammond Park will
run along the top of the cliff at the eastern
end of Hamilton Gardens and over or under
the planned arterial route that divides the
horse paddock and crosses the river. A
longer term project may be a pedestrian
bridge over the river to provide access to the
reserve land below the Glenview Club.
POLICY:
More river vistas can be opened up from the
riverside gardens and river walks. However,
the need to retain riverbank stability means
without extensive retaining structures most
river views will be framed vistas rather than
wide panoramas. Riverside gardens can
be designed so the river will be presented
in different ways, at different heights and
discovered when entering the various
gardens.
Further development of the riverbank
or stream will require consultation with
Waikato-Tainui through the processes
specified in the joint river management
agreement.
The higher riverbanks at the eastern end of
Hamilton Gardens are on a formation called
the Walton subgroup which is relatively
stable, but the riverbanks in the centre
and western end have a sandy substrate
which is susceptible to slip and erosion.
Several metres of riverbank have been lost
in the Chinese, Modernist and Renaissance
Gardens just in the last decade. The problem
is increased by fluctuating river levels and
the likelihood the river bed will continue
to degrade because the Karapiro Dam is
cutting off sediment supply. Strategies
to maintain riverbank stability include
maintaining vegetation cover on steep
banks, progressive replacement planting,
removal of large unstable trees, control
of stormwater discharge, confining public
access across banks and the establishment
of appropriate ecotone planting within river
margins.
The tree framework on the banks and
river terraces opposite the western end of
the site form a backdrop for many views
within Hamilton Gardens and contribute
quite significantly to the total Hamilton
Gardens character. It is important for these
tree groups to be retained and extended
to conceal the proposed road south from
Cobham Bridge and residential development
south of the Glenview Club. The riverbanks
at the eastern end of Hamilton Gardens
overlook farm land that will eventually be
developed for housing so it is desirable
that this area is at least softened with tree
planting. Hamilton Gardens has become
increasingly noticeable from the river itself
as views into the site are created and garden
features are visible against the skyline.
This is the opportunity to develop parkland
on the opposite riverbank, or possibly a hotel.
21
River views will be opened up where this
does not compromise riverbank stability.
Opportunities will be sought to preserve
and increase tree groups on the riverbank
opposite Hamilton Gardens.
(Strategic Plan objective A:3)
POLICY:
(Strategic Plan objective A:3)
Goal
To enhance the identity and prosperity
of Hamilton with an internationally
recognised garden.
KEY ACTIONS
Seven priorities are proposed, subject to
resources being available:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Develop and promote various valueadded tour packages, in conjunction
with key partners;
Improve river access to Hamilton
Gardens;
Introduce mobile network coverage
so visitors can promote their visit.
Improve and enhance the Information
Centre and the retail offer;
Upgrade, replace or add toilet
facilities;
Improve the cafe including upgrading
the outdoor eating terrace; and
Extend the permanent parking
surface of the Turtle Lake car park to
cater for day-to-day demand.
4.0 PROVIDING A PARK THAT IS VALUED
AND ENJOYED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
GOAL:
To enhance the value of
Hamilton Gardens to the
local community
4.1 IMPROVING THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THE LOCAL
ECONOMY
Generating an economic return to the city
is not the primary function of Hamilton
Gardens - but it is a significant benefit. In
2003 Council commissioned a major study
by Horwath HTL and Waikato University
involving 807 interviews with Hamilton
Gardens visitors from outside the region.
The figures were updated in 2007. It
indicated visits to the city motivated by
Hamilton Gardens added approximately
$8.5 million to the local economy and a
total economic output of approximately
$33 million. While Council doesn’t directly
benefit, it does represent a good return on
investment to the local community.
The strategic challenge is to increase this
economic benefit by attracting more out-ofregion visitors and encouraging them to stay
longer. Research has shown if travellers
can be engaged for three to four hours,
they are more likely to stay overnight and
increase their spending on accommodation,
meals, shopping and entertainment. Four
strategies are being developed to address
this opportunity:
− Many out-of-region visitors to Hamilton
Gardens don’t visit other local attractions
or use local accommodation, so more can
be done to promote these through the
Information Centre and directly on visitors’
mobile devices;
− At present, tourists spend on average
two hours in Hamilton Gardens and there
are opportunities to lengthen visits by
developing more gardens and enhancing
interpretation with stories to engage the
visitor. When a visitor remains on site for
more than two hours they’re more likely to
stop for refreshments which also lengthens
the visit;
22
− There is an opportunity to partner
more with other local attractions and
accommodation providers to offer packages
to promote longer stays;
− Some initial work has been done on
events within the Gardens, specifically for
tour groups. For example, one American
tour company wants an on-site garden
tour combined with a New Zealand wine
lecture and a cooking demonstration. This
has encouraged the tour group to base
themselves in Hamilton.
POLICY:
Opportunities will be sought to lengthen
the stay of more city visitors by working
with strategic partners and improving onsite engagement.
(Strategic Plan objective A:1)
4.0 PROVIDING A PARK THAT IS VALUED AND ENJOYED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
4.2 EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Hamilton Gardens has become one of
the most frequently used events venues
in the city, and the majority of events are
organised by and for the local community.
The diverse range of events contributes to
the life of the city and provides vibrancy to
the Gardens. Events are probably the most
effective way of promoting local awareness
of Hamilton Gardens and its features.
However, occasionally outdoor events can
block access, cause damage, or disrupt the
peaceful escape casual visitors and tourists
may be seeking. At times there are multiple
events occurring at the same time and these
can conflict with each other or be disrupted
by park maintenance activities. It is critical
there is some control and criteria around
why, when and where events are held and
how they are managed.
Outdoor events
There are two categories of organised
outdoor event in Hamilton Gardens;
controlled events and discretionary events.
Controlled events are generally permitted,
but a booking is required for a specific time
and site within Hamilton Gardens. The
booking process gives the event organiser
some certainty of venue availability but
not exclusive use. The process helps park
managers avoid conflicts in use, provides
them with an opportunity to make users
aware of any restrictions or conditions,
and any damage is covered with a bond.
Examples of controlled events include
weddings, free performances, corporate
picnics and team building activities.
Discretionary events may:
− Require exclusive use of an outdoor area,
for example a paid entry outdoor concert;
− Have a significant impact on park assets
and other park users, such as an event with
amplified sound;
− Require special permission or consents,
such as a food stall, or an event held outside
normal opening hours.
Discretionary events may be declined.
Approved events will often be subject to
further approvals and consents such as
public notification of a closure of a section
of the reserve, fireworks consent or a site
safety plan.
In assessing the desirability of a discretionary
event within Hamilton Gardens, the following
issues are considered:
− Location, duration and time of day;
− Compatibility with Management Plan policy;
− Legal requirements (e.g. bylaws, on-site
lease obligations, safety plans, Transit NZ
Management Plans, operator’s licence,
liquor licence);
− Characteristics of the event, such as
whether it is a public or private event,
numbers of people, temporary structures or
services that may be required, whether the
event is for commercial gain or charitable
benefit;
− Precedence set for future requests;
− Disruption to other park visitors and other
booked events. This includes disruption
from noise or disruption to access and
tolerance levels vary depending on the
proposed location within the site;
− Compatibility with the garden setting and
garden themes and the potential to offend
cultural or spiritual beliefs relating to
certain garden areas;
− Impact on the asset, the potential for
damage, wear and tear and other hidden
costs, and opportunities available to mitigate
any adverse effects;
23
− Safety and security considerations
including the security of other assets and
the safety of other park users;
− Capacity of the venue, for example parking,
power supply, wet weather alternative;
− The availability of more appropriate
alternative venues or park facilities
elsewhere in the city;
− Potential benefit to Hamilton Gardens and
the city such as city promotion, or garden
interpretation.
Hire and bond costs for outdoor areas
vary with the type of event, the event’s
commercial nature, and potential for
damage and disruption. The event may also
be required to have an approved site safety
plan and to cover the associated costs, such
as extended security patrols. Hire charges
are set by Council in each Annual Plan. At
present the high banks surrounding the
lower gardens are effective at reducing noise
from events for local residents. The control
of unreasonably noisy events on parks is
administered by Council through legislation,
the District Plan and other Council policies.
Most outdoor events held in Hamilton
Gardens at present do not have exclusive
use of a particular area. This rule could
be relaxed when it may help make an
outdoor theatrical or musical performance
financially viable. Exclusive use would be
available for other events if organisers were
prepared to pay for this privilege, such as
a corporate function. The disadvantage of
this is tourists who are only staying for a
limited period may lose the opportunity to
experience a particular garden. Under the
Reserves Act (1977) areas to be closed to
the public must be advertised in the Public
Notices and through several on-site posters.
4.0 PROVIDING A PARK THAT IS VALUED AND ENJOYED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
4.2 EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Instead of the usual garden circuit loop,
the inner gardens have a spider circulation
system specifically to accommodate events
in the individual gardens. It means access
to a particular garden is more direct and if
an event is blocking a garden it can easily be
bypassed and revisited later. The diagram
shows four circulation hubs (or spiders)
have been developed (1. Fern Court, 2.
Piazza, 3. Cloud Court, 4. Time Court), while
another three hubs are proposed between
the proposed future gardens.
POLICY: Outdoor events will be permitted and
encouraged within Hamilton Gardens with
consideration given to possible disruption
to other park visitors, the impact on
asset maintenance and compliance with
booking conditions. Commercial events
may be permitted where they enhance
public use of the park.
Strategic Plan objective C:1)
POLICY:
Exclusive use may be granted to a specific
outdoor area to generate revenue or
support an appropriate artistic event.
(Strategic Plan objective C:1)
POLICY:
Hamilton Gardens Pavilion
Hamilton Gardens Pavilion has three
purposes:
− Attracting events complementing and
promoting Hamilton Gardens;
− Supporting community activities through
discounted hire rates;
− Providing an important wet weather
back-up for outdoor events that enhance
the Gardens, such as outdoor concerts and
festivals.
The Pavilion was originally developed
primarily for horticultural events and
horticultural education, but these activities
have declined in number and the Pavilion is
now used by a much wider range of events.
For example, exhibitions, large weddings,
festivals, product launches, flower shows,
conferences, workshops, national art
awards, lectures, sports events, pet shows,
fairs, commercial expos, meetings, award
dinners, religious ceremonies and concerts.
Various proposals have been made to
improve the suitability of the two larger
exhibition rooms for specific use, such as
conferences. However, those changes would
alter the simplicity and flexibility allowing
the venue to accommodate a diverse range
of events. Some improvements can still be
made, such as replacing the dividing doors
and improving the walls. The Pavilion’s
integration with the surrounding gardens
could be improved with a covered access
way between the Piazza and the Central
Court at the southern end of the Pavilion. In
the long term, consideration could be given
to replacing the Central Court roof with a
translucent material to create a high-quality
conservatory with space planting and events.
At some stage the Chartwell Room will need
to be upgraded as a modern seminar room
with suspended ceiling, pleasant outlook
and appropriate technology.
The purpose of the Hamilton Gardens
Pavilion is to encourage activities to
complement and promote Hamilton
Gardens and support local community
events, particularly horticultural, cultural
and educational activities.
(Strategic Plan objective C:1)
Most events held in Hamilton Gardens
are not open to the public, but the
following are regular public events:
ANZAC Concert, Bonsai Show, Bottle
and Collectable Show, Caged Bird Show,
cat shows, Chrysanthemum Show,
Creative Fibre Exhibition, daffodil shows,
Dahlia shows, Doll and Teddy Bear
Show, Dutch Festival, Hamilton Antique
Fair, Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival,
Hispanic Spring Festival, Italian Festival,
karate competitions, lily shows, Model
Boat Regatta, Model Railroaders’ Expo,
natural health expos, orchid shows,
Waikato Pacific Rose Bowl Festival,
pipe band competitions, Pumpkin
Festival, Quilt Makers Expo, rose shows,
Salvation Army Christmas Concert,
Scarecrow Festival, Spring Orchid Show,
Stations of the Cross, Textile Art Show,
Tree Crops Plant Sale, Tulip Festival,
Waikato Maths Competition, Waikato
Science Fair, Wedding Expo.
24
4.0 PROVIDING A PARK THAT IS VALUED AND ENJOYED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
4.3 CATERING FOR CASUAL COMMUNITY USE
Annual Residents Surveys over the years
have consistently shown around 85 per cent
of residents have visited at least once in the
last year. This is a very high figure compared
to other New Zealand parks. Casual park
users who are having a picnic, walking the
dog, playing informal sports, flying a kite or
just enjoying family time don’t necessarily
need a lot of development. However, surveys
and feedback have identified the need for
two facilities; a safer Cobham Drive crossing
and a larger playground.
There are not a lot of parks in Hamilton East
and local residents have been promoting a
safer and more convenient Cobham Drive
crossing. This is covered in section 4.5 of
this document. When an underpass beside
Gate 2 is developed, local community use
of the area known as the Governors Lawn
will increase, particularly during weekends.
The open lawns also make it one of the most
suitable spaces within Hamilton Gardens for
neighbourhood-park activities.
While play equipment could be located in
several sites it is proposed to develop a
destination playground on the Governors
Lawn where there is more space. Eventually
another toilet will be located nearby. This
playground could be developed with a garden
theme, including swings under pergolas
and a turf maze. It should be remembered
children also love to explore the theme
gardens and there are other child-friendly
projects planned, such as the children’s
guide book and app. The Surrealist Garden
is essentially a magical children’s garden
with everything in it five times the normal
size, including moving topiary, giant insects
and talking flowers. The Parks, Domains and Reserves Bylaw
(2007) requires dog owners to have their dog
under control to avoid the animals becoming
a nuisance to other park visitors. There
are three areas within Hamilton Gardens
with different restrictions on dogs, with the
exception of guide dogs and police dogs.
(See the Location Map, Figure 4).
− Within the designated Dog Exercise Area
on the Hillside Lawn, dog owners are free
to exercise their dogs off their leads. Event
bookings are not normally taken for this
space to avoid any conflict with regular dog
walkers;
− No dogs are permitted within the Enclosed
Sector defined by the security fence. The
gardens being developed in this area include
sensitive features and tight narrow spaces;
− In almost all other areas of Hamilton
Gardens, dogs are permitted provided they
are on leads. Under the Cemeteries and
Crematorium Bylaw (2008) no dogs are
allowed in the cemetery.
This plan proposes increasing the Dog
Exercise Area to include the flat area
beside the river because it is valued as an
area where dogs can swim and cool off
in summer. The adjacent areas are not
included because they would either create
conflicts in use or intrude into a recognised
riverside biodiversity hotspot.
POLICY:
Local community use will be encouraged
at the Governors Lawn area of Hamilton
Gardens.
POLICY:
Dogs will be managed in accordance with
the Parks, Domains and Reserves Bylaw
which requires dogs to be on leads other
than in designated Dog Exercise Areas
where they may be exercised free of
restraint. Dogs are not permitted within
the Enclosed Sector or Hamilton East
Cemetery.
25
4.0 PROVIDING A PARK THAT IS VALUED AND ENJOYED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
4.4 PROVIDING AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE
Education groups involved in Hamilton
Gardens have included schools, tertiary
institutions, specialist clubs and other
educational tours. The opportunities to
increase educational use of the site have
been limited by resources.
At present, teachers prepare their own
teaching resources, but Hamilton Gardens
could develop material specific to the
Gardens and aligned to the New Zealand
curriculum. Class visits often involve parents
and bus hireage, so they must be planned in
advance and often go ahead in poor weather.
While not warranted by demand at present,
eventually there may need to be a dedicated
classroom at Hamilton Gardens.
The concept of the Gardens is diverse
enough to support a wide range of
educational topics. This is clearly
demonstrated in the list of topics staff
have recorded from school visits: Haiku
poetry, Maaori culture (horticulture,
carving and traditional tools), Asian
history, natural sciences, ecology,
orienteering, plant adaption to different
climates, Narrows Redoubt, landscape
design, permaculture, home economics,
general social studies, insects,
art, photography, biodiversity, giant
pumpkins, architecture, companion
planting, Shakespeare’s contemporaries,
design, scarecrow competitions,
tourism, growing vegetables, symbolism,
rose judging, the Italian Renaissance,
plant propagation, the evolution of
British society, French rose breeders,
the Modernist Movement, China’s impact
on European art and notable identities
buried in the cemetery.
Links will be fostered with tertiary
institutions
including
polytechnics,
universities and scientific organisations
involving education programmes and
research to benefit the Gardens. Hamilton
Gardens has played a significant role
in parks industry training through staff
training programmes, apprenticeships,
Botanic Gardens of Australia and New
Zealand (BGANZ) internships, on-site
seminars and conferences, and staff
presenting papers at conferences. There is
also some involvement with garden hobbyist
groups, including combined seminars and
demonstrations.
The Wintec Horticultural Education Centre
has been located at Hamilton Gardens since
1987, providing industry training in subjects
related to horticulture including amenity
horticulture, arboriculture, landscape design,
floral art and various block courses. The
location was chosen to provide students with
an on-site practical teaching resource and a
mutually beneficial partnership with Council.
Wintec and Council staff have undertaken
various joint projects such as promoting
careers in horticulture, community education
programmes, scholarships, fibre optic
networking, applied research and seminars.
Staff and students at the Centre maintain the
Kitchen Garden which is open to the public.
There are opportunities to extend student
involvement, particularly at the Municipal
Nursery.
Apart from the main lecture
block, the Centre also has a demonstration
yard with two barns and glasshouses
and uses undeveloped land for practical
exercises. These areas are closed to the
public. Eventually garden development at
the western end of the Enclosed Sector will
mean concentrating these demonstration
areas into a much smaller space.
POLICY: Educational opportunities associated
with Hamilton Gardens will be developed
and promoted including school, tertiary,
industry and community education. Where
possible this will be done in partnership
with others.
(Strategic Plan objective C:4)
POLICY: The Wintec Horticulture School will be
encouraged to continue and enhance
their involvement in Hamilton Gardens.
(Strategic Plan objective C:4)
26
4.0 PROVIDING A PARK THAT IS VALUED AND ENJOYED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
4.5 IMPROVING ACCESS INTO AND THROUGH HAMILTON
GARDEN
Hamilton East residents have difficulty
gaining access to Hamilton Gardens
because of the dangers of crossing Cobham
Drive – a busy section of State Highway 1.
An underpass has been proposed by Transit
below Cobham Drive just west of Gate 2, but
while the plan exists, no timeframe for its
construction has been identified. Another
underpass has been proposed under
Cobham Drive to provide pedestrian and
cycle access from the Hillcrest area when
the E:1 link is developed along the East
Town Belt and across the eastern end of
Hamilton Gardens.
At present there are five recognised
entrances into Hamilton Gardens.
All
vehicle access is through Gates 1 and 2 on
Cobham Drive. Pedestrian and cycle access
is provided under Cobham Bridge linking
Hamilton Gardens to the city’s river walkway
system. A walkway provides access from
the eastern end of Hamilton Gardens up
to Cobham Drive and Howell Avenue. The
jetty located near the Turtle Lake car park
provides access from the Waikato River.
Land has been purchased as reserve below
the Glenview Club and opposite the main
Turtle Lake car park. It will preserve the
attractive outlook from that area of Hamilton
Gardens and provides the opportunity for a
future pedestrian bridge.
A cycleway has been developed for cyclists
passing through Hamilton Gardens. It runs
alongside Cobham Drive down Hungerford
Crescent and then up alongside Cobham
Drive near the entrance to Howell Avenue
(see Location Map, Figure 4). Cyclists visiting
Hamilton Gardens can enter on either
roadway, but are expected to dismount when
approaching the central area. All bicycles,
rollerblades, skateboards, scooters and
similar devices are discouraged within the
Gardens and excluded from the Enclosed
Gardens and Lakeside Court for safety
reasons.
from the Riverlea area. Plans for the E:1
link through the horse paddocks include a
continuation of the river walkway under the
proposed road.
The location and design of internal paths
is generally governed by levels of use, the
planned hierarchy of paths, requirements of
park service vehicles, site topography and
the planned sequential experience of each
garden area. In some areas the most direct
route is deliberately avoided to lead people
into certain areas or to make the site appear
larger. It is recognised there won’t be paths
where everyone wants to walk.
POLICY:
Access into Hamilton Gardens will ensure
easy, safe vehicular, cycle and pedestrian
access.
(Strategic Plan objective C:3)
POLICY:
Paths within Hamilton Gardens will
provide access for a majority of people
to a majority of points of interest,
including access for people with mobility
restrictions.
(Strategic Plan objective C:3)
Goal
To enhance the value of Hamilton Gardens
to the local community.
KEY ACTIONS
Wherever possible the grade, width and
surface of paths have been made suitable
for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The
path above the waterfall up to the Valley
Walk car park and the river walkway east
of the Outdoor Chapel still need to be
graded and paved to make them suitable
for disabled access. Where steep banks
make the grade impractical, alternative
access is usually provided. However there
is currently no suitably graded path between
the upper and lower gardens and car parks.
A path with a gradient of 1:12 is eventually
proposed to link these areas, possibly as
part of the proposed New Zealand Cultivar
Garden development.
The river walkway cuts across the site
passing alongside the Rogers Rose Garden
through the Lakeside Court. Eventually the
intention is to continue the river walkway
along the eastern end of Hamilton Gardens
to link up with the existing river walkway
in Hammond Park and improve access
27
The following seven priorities are
proposed, subject to resources being
available:
1.
Implement various strategies to
encourage visitors to stay in the
district longer and contribute more to
the local economy;
2.
Encourage more community events
that complement Hamilton Gardens;
3.
Develop
educational
material
relevant to the school curriculum;
4.
Improve paths to increase accessibility
for those with disabilities;
5.
Improve the Pavilion to meet
customer expectations and needs;
6.
Relocate and further develop a
significant destination playground by
the Governors Lawn; and
7.
Improve links to local neighbourhoods
including a Cobham Drive crossing
and river walkway.
5.0 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF
HAMILTON GARDENS
GOAL:
To protect and sustain
Hamilton Gardens for
future generations
5.1 CONSERVATION OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES
Natural features
The remnant bush on the steep riverbanks
below the Hamilton East Cemetery is
considered to be one of the district’s more
significant original Waikato seed sources. This stretch of riverbank, referred to
as Echo Bank Bush, is managed as an
important natural feature of Hamilton
Gardens. Management of this flora will
follow the policy in the Riverside Reserves
Management Plan. This includes control
and removal of all exotic plants, additional
planting using only eco-sourced species
propagated from local plants, management
of the bush so it becomes a self-sustaining
unit and public access confined to paths and
boardwalks to avoid damage.
Waikato Regional Council sees Hamilton
Gardens as an important natural link in the
river wildlife corridor through the city. Annual
planting programmes aim to increase the
diversity of fruit, seed and nectar plants to
provide a continuity of seasonal food supply
for birds. Vegetation overhanging ponds and
the lake and river margins are particularly
effective in encouraging insects for birds
and bats, as well as providing a refuge for
water fowl and fish. Further development of
the Valley Walk will feature a small Waikato
wetland and, like the rest of the Valley Walk,
will only feature plants native to the Waikato
district.
Notable natural fauna within Hamilton
Gardens includes a local long-tailed bat
population and a number of ‘bat roosts’ have
been installed for them. Some of the more
isolated riverbanks feature glow worms.
Monarch butterflies spend winter on some
of the pines and are encouraged by the
annual planting of 200 swan plants within
garden areas.
Recently more planting
such as nettles has been undertaken to
encourage native butterflies.
While bird life is encouraged with plants
providing food and habitat, the most
challenging limitation is the control of
predators such as wild cats, mustelids,
rats, magpies and possums. Pest control
is increased around biodiversity hotspots
28
and at certain times, such as when tui are
nesting. Hamilton Gardens was the first site
in the city to have tui nesting since records
were kept. Monarch butterfly numbers have
been limited by predator wasps. Control
of all pests is planned as part of a wider
strategy for riverside reserves based on the
Pest Management Strategy prepared by the
Waikato Regional Council.
The use of residual chemicals is being
reduced through the gradual introduction
of a more integrated pest management
strategy aiming to increase reliance on
biological control. However, in Hamilton’s
warm humid climate, collections such
as the massed hybrid rose display and
rhododendron borders mean that some
chemical control will probably be required
for the foreseeable future. To minimise
effects on desirable insect populations,
preference is given to non-toxic or low-toxic
substances where there is no effective form
of cultural or biological control. Evaluation
of alternatives to inorganic, residual
chemical pest control will be continued.
Ducks, particularly ducklings, are a
significant attraction at Hamilton Gardens
but numbers need to be managed as they
can make a mess and damage ornamental
water plantings. Turtle Lake was named
after the various pet turtles released
there. While these turtles provide another
very popular attraction for children, their
continued presence is dependent on Waikato
Regional Council guidance.
Cultural features
One of the many significant riverside preEuropean Maaori settlements called Te
Parapara was located in the centre of
Hamilton Gardens. It was once the home
of Haanui, a famous Ngati Wairere chief. Te
Parapara was renowned as the site of sacred
rituals associated with the harvesting of
food crops and there was a Tuahu or sacred
alter on site associated with this. The land
was appropriated by the Crown in the 1860s
and put to strategic use as the Narrows
Redoubt and town rifle range. In 1879 the
area was declared domain land and handed
over to the Hamilton East Domain Board.
The Borough lost control of the domain
lands in the early 20th Century, and the area
was used for various other purposes. This
included a sand quarry over the lower area
which resulted in the loss of any remains
of Te Parapara. The Council purchased
the old rifle range land from the Crown in
1957 and its status changed from domain
to reserve land available for everyone’s use
and enjoyment.
The significance of the area as Ngati Wairere
ancestral land is outlined in the WaikatoTainui Environmental Plan. This recognises
cultural traditions of protecting the land,
the historic associations and taonga. The
physical focus for this recognition has been
the highly significant Te Parapara Garden
which includes references to the area’s
cultural heritage, including the figures of
notable historic identities and other carvings
specific to this district.
memorialisation remain the responsibility
of the Cemetery and Crematorium staff.
The cemetery was closed for burials in 1957
other than for reserved plots and ashes
interments. A printed guide to the cemetery
is available, referring to some of the notable
people buried there.
Many smaller features within Hamilton
Gardens are also significant, ranging from
the old Baptist Church cupola on top of the
Pavilion, to old prints. Because of their
intrinsic value and cultural associations,
features such as the Japanese Pavilion,
Russian Bell Tower and the Chris Booth
sculpture are likely to increase in cultural
significance over time. These diverse
elements must be maintained appropriately
and professional advice is sought where
needed.
Records systematically maintained and
properly stored will become valuable
heritage items. In most cases, the material
being stored has no immediate value but it
will become valuable to future generations,
even items such as photographs and
ephemera such as old Hamilton Gardens
Arts Festival brochures.
An accession plan should be developed to:
- Record the history and inventory of taonga
items and important institutional memory;
- Ensure preservation and appropriate
maintenance of items;
- Generate, record and archive interpretive
information;
- Provide assurance to those who have
made a gift and record any commitments
made to the donor; and
- Define an acquisition and disposal
procedure.
POLICY: Park management will seek to conserve
remnant indigenous flora on the
riverbanks, encourage bird, bat, and
butterfly populations and retain rare
native and exotic plants within the
collections.
(Strategic Plan objective D:2)
POLICY: Invasive and noxious flora and fauna will
be controlled or removed and staff will
continue to work with other agencies to
improve pest control throughout the site.
(Strategic Plan objective D:2)
POLICY: Park management will recognise the
significant cultural heritage of this site.
(Strategic Plan objective D:2)
POLICY: There are few remains of the early European
settlement of the area apart from the
Narrows Redoubt at the eastern end of the
site and an earthen fence probably created by
the early Irish community of Hamilton East
who grazed the area. The Station Master’s
House was relocated to beside the cemetery
in 1984. Many of the settlers and prominent
citizens of early Hamilton were buried in the
Hamilton East Cemetery from 1866. While
Hamilton East Cemetery is recognised as
part of Hamilton Gardens and maintained
by Gardens staff, all aspects of burial and
Institutional knowledge relevant to
Hamilton Gardens, as well as historic
site features and associations, including
taonga, will be appropriately conserved
under an accession plan.
(Strategic Plan objective D:2)
29
5.0 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HAMILTON GARDENS
5.2 OPTIMUM ASSET MANAGEMENT
There are three systems supporting the
asset management programme within
Hamilton Gardens – an asset management
system, Design Statements and the
Hamilton Gardens Quality Management
System.
− An online asset management system called
Hansen 8 is being developed to record all
assets and their condition. This integrated
system will feed into other Council systems
and influence maintenance, rehabilitation
and replacement work and future resourcing
commitments.
− A series of about 50 design statements
will
specify
specialist
maintenance
requirements and standards to be met for
each garden area.
−
The
Hamilton
Gardens
Quality
Management System prescribes several
processes to ensure assets and services are
meeting the needs and expectations of park
users.
The standards of asset management will be
determined by the resources Council makes
available. If the intention is to create a
world renowned garden, then the standards
required may be higher than for some other
Council assets. With limited resources,
work programmes are often determined by
a variety of outside influences and priorities
specific to Hamilton Gardens.
The design statements specify standards of
garden maintenance for each area and are
unique to Hamilton Gardens. The gardens
are audited regularly to identify specific
actions to be taken to meet the optimum
standards. For other on-site activities,
standards are defined in many different
forms. For example, contract specifications
(cleaning of toilet facilities), New Zealand
safety standards (roadside maintenance),
sustainable management practice (Qualmark
Green), lease agreements (Hamilton Gardens
Cafe and Lakeside Function Centre), service
level agreements (mowing), building codes
(structural inspections), industry standards
(plants
purchases),
consents
(water
extraction) or Council policy (health and
safety). Generally standards in most areas
are constantly rising.
There has always been a planned hierarchy
of garden development within Hamilton
Gardens.
The more detailed, higher
maintenance gardens are located in the
central areas where the most visitors
circulate. The more natural, robust, lower
maintenance features are located at the
outer ends of the park. This means the
central gardens will eventually all be on an
automatic irrigation system while the outer
areas will have to survive on natural rainfall.
This management plan cannot cover all
aspects of asset management at Hamilton
Gardens, but there are two areas of
specialist asset management that need to
be mentioned; water quality and landfill
management.
Water quality
Within the Enclosed Gardens there are two
forms of water feature; the artificial pools
and the natural looking ponds needed to
support aquatic flora and fauna. These
are kept clean using techniques such as
backwashed sand filters to reduce sediment
30
and phytoplankton, anti-fouling paint,
ultrasound treatment, ultraviolet light,
manual cleaning and low level chlorination,
and algaecide dosing.
Water flowing down the Valley Walk gully
system largely comes off Cobham Drive and
a local residential area. This means the flow
is very uneven and water quality difficult to
control. Developing the gully floor west of
Hungerford Crescent as a Waikato wetland
will complement the theme of the Valley
Walk. The wetland will improve water quality
by acting as a filter and it should also even
out the water flow, particularly as it affects
the Turtle Lake waterfall. This very small
wetland will demonstrate how attractive a
Waikato wetland garden can look.
The water quality in the Valley Walk ponds
and Turtle Lake is being improved through
weirs to reduce suspended solids, and
the aeration provided by the waterfall and
with planting on steep banks to reduce
erosion. The water quality in the lake has
generally improved over the past decade,
but it is gradually silting up. Dredging may
be required on the northern side within the
life of this Management Plan to avoid the
emergence of a mudflat.
At times, invasive aquatic weeds particularly
Ceratophyllum demersum (Hornwort) and
Egeria need to be controlled in Turtle Lake. This is done on an as-needed basis with the
appropriate consents and NIWA guidance.
Without this regular control, the lake can
become choked with unsightly surface
floating weeds. It is unrealistic to eliminate
all aquatic weed from Turtle Lake, but there
5.0 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HAMILTON GARDENS
5.2 OPTIMUM ASSET MANAGEMENT
POLICY:
Standards
of
presentation
and
maintenance will be appropriate to a
national visitor attraction but with higher
standards in the central gardens relative
to the outer, more natural areas of the
site.
(Strategic Plan objective D:1)
POLICY:
Water quality within Hamilton Gardens
will continue to be monitored to meet the
set targets. Improvements to the water
quality will be made where there are
practical solutions. Hamilton Gardens’
water treatment systems will aim to
ensure all water flowing into the Waikato
River is as clean and clear as possible.
are at least three ecological benefits to
keeping the aquatic weed under control.
− The treatment used has a minimal effect
on native aquatic plants and fish so those
populations can re-establish and biodiversity
in the lake is encouraged. Maintaining a
good cover of native aquatic plants will in
turn discourage invasive weed growth;
− If Hornwort is constantly controlled it
avoids the “boom-bust” cycle of invasive
weeds and the subsequent unpleasant
smell as it dies back and rots; and
− Excessive growth of Hornwort will by
itself cause oxygen depletion at night with
detrimental effects on aquatic fauna such
as fish.
Landfill management
Most of the lower area of Hamilton Gardens
was a sand pit and used as a dump for
non-toxic waste such as clay and tree
stumps. However, a three-hectare portion
of Hamilton Gardens is an old excavated
pit that was used for household refuse
disposal in 1973 and 1974. (Area defined
on the Location Map, Figure 4.) The
rubbish fill ranges in depth between 2m to
9m. The landfill is monitored for gas and
leachate and is now regarded as a stable
landfill site. The Resource Management
Act (1991) requires closed landfills to have
resource consents that promote sustainable
management practices. Management of
this landfill is outlined in the Hamilton
City Council Cobham Drive Closed Landfill
Aftercare Management Plan. A separate
reserves landfill strategy for the city had not
been developed at the time of this review.
(Strategic Plan objective D:2)
Any development, contouring or substantial
change above the 1974 landfill site will
require further consents. Apart from the
Turtle Lake car park, the cap generally
consists of about 700mm of sand and silt
soils. There are seven criteria to be met in
the management of this cap:
− The aim is to maintain a minimum of
700mm cover over the refuse;
− Any exposed refuse should be covered or
the area fenced off from public access until
an appropriate cover can be laid;
− The design and construction of any
future drainage infrastructure is able to
accommodate design storms, settlement
and leachate and gas corrosion;
− There must be adequate stormwater
control measures to prevent exposure of
refuse through erosion or excessive ponding
or water ingress into the landfill which will
cause the formation of leachate;
− The surface should be regularly inspected
for distressed vegetation, cap cracking,
significant settlement and ponding. Any
cracks in the cap must be repaired by filling;
− No fires are permitted on the surface;
− Any site development relating to park
activities must take into account other
requirements of the Hamilton City Council
Development Manual.
Turtle Lake will be maintained in a
healthy condition through the control of
invasive aquatic flora and fauna and the
encouragement of indigenous aquatic
plants.
31
POLICY:
(Strategic Plan objective D:2)
POLICY:
Management of the land over the 1974
landfill site will retain the integrity of
the landfill cap in accordance with the
Aftercare Management Plan for the site.
(Strategic Plan objective D:2)
5.0 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HAMILTON GARDENS
5.3 MAINTAINING DESIGN INTEGRITY
its neighbours. The Design Statements
also specify views which need to be kept
open. The management of these views is a
long-term strategy involving tree growth,
the anticipation of future views, screening
of unwanted views, the emphasis and
composition of views, emphasis of particular
features, space modulation and the planned
progressive sequence of views. With overplanting in some areas this may mean the
removal of some mature trees.
For the Hamilton Gardens concept to be
successful each garden needs to have a
reasonable level of design authenticity
and each garden type has been extensively
researched to achieve this. Improvements
and change will inevitably occur, but
they should generally be made with an
understanding of the design intent. For
example, in the Japanese Garden of
Contemplation most of the significant rocks
have a traditional name and a relationship
to one another. There are different zones
within the garden dictating the types of
plants that can be used. There are also
the traditional rules that have defined key
elements of the layout.
This type of information is being recorded in
Design Statements that will eventually cover
each garden zone. Essentially they are
technical staff manuals controlled under the
Hamilton Gardens’ quality system, with six
primary functions:
− Providing an overview of the design
concept;
− Outlining the specific maintenance
requirements of each garden;
− Specifying the optimum maintenance
standards;
− Recording relevant institutional memory
such as how a garden was developed;
− Providing technical information, such as
paint colours; and
− Providing references to further relevant
information, such as reference books.
The thematic zones cover most of the
site and it is important incongruous or
inappropriate elements are not introduced
to distract from a particular garden’s
theme. In some gardens, new additions can
be tested against historic styles, in others
the concept itself provides the lead. For
example, most of the planting from Gate 1
to the Information Centre has been confined
to indigenous plants to make a statement
about this being a New Zealand garden.
The range of gardens can also accommodate
most temperate garden plants, but the
challenge is to locate the right plants in
the right garden. Again, there isn’t always
an historical context; the intended tropical
effect in the Tropical Garden limits the types
of plants that will look appropriate. With
the range of plants available through the
New Zealand nursery trade diminishing,
the role of the Municipal Nursery in
propagating existing stock will remain
important to maintain the integrity of some
gardens. Apart from the problems of theft
and damage, plant labels are not always
appropriate, particularly in some of the
historic gardens. Plant labels should be
used where a plant type is relevant to the
story of the garden.
For Hamilton Gardens to be more convincing
than the 19th Century Mixed Style, each
garden will require design authenticity
and will need to be visually screened from
32
Preserving some open, sweeping spaces
is important to provide the Gardens with a
grand public scale, to allow groups of trees
to be fully appreciated, to help with visitor
orientation, to give depth to some views
and to provide a contrast to the smaller
enclosed garden features. Different areas
will also require planting and development
of a different scale. For example, the open
sweeping lawns along the Cobham Drive
frontage provide an appropriate grand scale
appreciated from moving cars.
POLICY:
Design and maintenance, including
structures and artwork, will preserve the
thematic integrity of each garden area.
Screening will be maintained between
gardens.
POLICY:
Plant collections and successional
planting will support each area’s design
theme and plant labels will be used
where appropriate to the theme.
5.0 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HAMILTON GARDENS
5.4 CONTROLLING LONG-TERM USES
Over the past 40 years Council has gradually
relocated facilities within Hamilton Gardens
that have not related to the garden theme.
These have included netball courts and
clubrooms, dog dosing strip, Go Kart
track, Boy Scouts Hall, the Royal Air Force
Association Clubrooms and Sillary Street
Indoor Bowling Club Hall.
There are several existing lease areas within
Hamilton Gardens and all but two are now
clearly related to the garden theme.
− The lease for the Garden Cafe and Function
Centre runs from 2012 to 2017 with a right of
renewal to 2022. There is a long-term need
for this facility;
− Wintec has a lease for the Wintec
Horticultural Education Centre facilities
which runs from April 2013 to March 2023.
In general terms the buildings are leased
and the open spaces are covered by a shorter
term licence. The Centre has been operating
at its present site since 1987 and will be
encouraged to remain at Hamilton Gardens.
If the Horticultural Centre is relocated, the
preferred option is facilities are utilised by
another horticultural education provider. In
the longer term, space at the western end of
the Enclosed Sector will be required for the
development of new gardens and Wintec are
aware they will need to look at more efficient
use of the available space and reduce the
footprint for their practical demonstration
areas;
− The Girl Guides Association has a lease
on the Hardy Training Centre building until
March 2014. This will be renewed until 2019
but in the longer term the Girl Guides site
will be required for the planned Baroque
Formal Garden;
− The Hamilton Light Horse Club has a
lease to graze the paddocks at the eastern
end of Hamilton Gardens. The five-year
lease terminates in 2014 with a fiveyear right of renewal. With the proposed
E:1 Link dividing the paddocks, there is
limited benefit in developing this area as
a permanent garden feature so it is likely
grazing leases will continue until the land is
required for roading;
− Two residences are located within
Hamilton Gardens to help maintain the
security of the asset. One is located in the
Municipal Nursery and the other adjacent
to the Hamilton East Cemetery. Rental
is charged and they are not necessarily
occupied by Council staff members.
Lease renewals are subject to the procedures
required by the Reserves Act (1977) and the
Guides and Policies in the Exercise of the
Reserves Act, No. 2 – Leasing of Reserves
and Other Rights of Occupation (1978). No
major new leases are currently foreseen in
the term of this plan. If a major new facility
was proposed and had a significant impact
on Hamilton Gardens, Council would also
undertake a review of this Management
Plan providing further opportunity for public
consultation, particularly in regard to its
impact on the rest of Hamilton Gardens.
Because Hamilton Gardens is a popular
visitor destination, there may be interest in
locating private tourist operations on site.
Any new leases may be considered where:
− The activity is clearly complementary and
33
supports the policy of this plan and does not
compromise proposed or potential garden
development, or the aesthetic values of
Hamilton Gardens;
− The proposed activity demonstrates
economic viability and provides assurance
that resources will be available for
reinstatement work if the venture fails;
− It is not appropriate for Council to provide
or operate such a facility;
− The potential lessee needs some security
for a long-term investment and exclusive
rights over a defined area for a long period.
Licences to Occupy are generally given for
shorter periods than a lease and they do not
give exclusive rights over a defined area. Licences must also be advertised for public
comment following the Reserves Act public
consultation procedure and they must be
compatible with the policies and plans of
this Management Plan. There are currently
licences for the demonstration areas used
by Wintec and others may be considered.
For example, the tour boat operation may
require a licence to moor at the Hamilton
Gardens’ jetty.
POLICY:
Leases will be restricted to building sites
only except where additional areas are
essential to the function for the leased
purpose. Renewal of leases and the
issue of licences will only be considered
where they clearly meet the needs of
garden users, relate to the overall garden
theme and comply with the Reserves Act
(1977).
5.0 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HAMILTON GARDENS
5.5 FUNDING AND SPONSORSHIP
Operational and capital funding for Hamilton
Gardens is determined through the Long
Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP or
10-Year Plan) and Annual Plan processes.
At present the primary revenue streams for
Hamilton Gardens are plant sales from the
Municipal Nursery and the hire of various
garden venues for events. An increasing
emphasis is being placed on increasing
income streams and the main opportunities
are from adding value to the Gardens as an
event location and visitor destination. For
example, the exclusive use of a particular
garden for an event, or the commission
structure on the supply of equipment and
services rather than hiring an empty site.
For tour groups it may mean combining a
guided tour with the commission on a river
trip and a lunch.
Development priorities set out in the
previous Management Plan remain relevant,
namely:
− Completion of the central theme gardens;
− Catering for increased use; and
− Improving standards of presentation and
customer service.
The timing of the E:1 Southern Link at the
eastern end of the site will be dependent
on central government and Council funding
priorities. The proposed deep cut and
topography will mean that most of the
remaining land between the cemetery and
Narrows Redoubt will effectively become
steep roadside planting.
It has been
suggested that the proceeds resulting
from the sale of this land could be used to
advance other garden development.
Over the past 35 years, Hamilton Gardens
has derived benefit worth many millions
of dollars directly from the community,
including cash sponsorship, gifts in kind
and volunteer work. Hamilton Gardens has
been recognised nationally for its sustained
programme of fundraising, particularly
through the establishment of specialist
trusts to support the development of specific
gardens. The reason this has worked well is
the aim of each trust has aligned with the
operative Management Plan and successive
trust boards have been committed to
achieving quality and design integrity. Before
any sponsorship is accepted that will have a
significant impact on operating costs, it must
be approved by Council. This is because
permanent new assets become Council
property and there can be a significant
budget impact from ongoing maintenance
and renewal costs. Gifts in kind have not
always been successful, largely because of
quality issues. Generally, Council prefers to
obtain competitive tenders and enter into a
contractual arrangement with the supplier
to ensure that goods or services meet
required standards.
Sponsorship signs
Sponsorship valued at more than $1000 may
be recognised on a low-maintenance plaque
for the life of the asset being sponsored.
Sponsor recognition of a specific garden
feature should exceed $10,000 in value.
Sponsor recognition will be confined to a
single sponsor plaque in each garden in
an approved location. A sponsors’ board
recognising recent major sponsorship over
$100,000 in value may be displayed in a
prominent location. Permanent recognition
of community groups that have made a
major contribution to Hamilton Gardens
are confined to wall plaques in the Piazza. A major contribution is considered to be an
asset worth at least $200,000.
Commemorative signs and
plaques
Too many memorial plaques can give
the impression of a garden of memories.
Experience in other parks suggests they
create long-term problems out of all
proportion to any income gained. Since the
2000 Management Plan, commemorative
plaques have been limited to people
who have had a direct and continuous
association of at least 20 years in which they
played a leading role in achieving something
significant for Hamilton Gardens. Any
event commemorated on a seat should be
of significance to the history of Hamilton
Gardens.
Volunteers help in a number of areas
usually under some form of agreement. For
example, the volunteers in the Information
Centre currently work under a Heads
of Agreement between the Friends of
Hamilton Gardens and Council.
Some
groups and individuals assist Hamilton
Gardens by undertaking maintenance tasks
or organising events that will promote
Hamilton Gardens. The most important
controls around their involvement include
health and safety.
34
5.0 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HAMILTON GARDENS
5.5 FUNDING AND SPONSORSHIP
POLICY:
The Friends of Hamilton Gardens
Incorporated Society was formed in 1988
to provide a key focus for community
involvement. The primary objectives of the
Friends are to:
− Promote awareness, use and enjoyment of
Hamilton Gardens;
− Promote and assist Council with the
development of Hamilton Gardens; and
− Conduct such activities that will promote
membership of the society and support its
initiatives.
Over the past 20 years the Friends have
raised substantial funding for garden
development. They have supported the
specialist trusts and often provided the
resources to finish off important smaller
projects. Volunteers from the Friends have
been attending the Information Centre every
day and take part in other practical projects
such as propagating plants for sale. Though
independent, the Friends work closely with
Gardens staff.
The Friends of Hamilton Gardens will
be supported and other opportunities
for wider public involvement will be
encouraged.
POLICY:
Ongoing staff development, training
programmes and records of maintenance
requirements will ensure that skills and
specialist knowledge are available to
maintain garden areas to a high standard.
(Strategic Plan objective D:3)
POLICY:
Community support and sponsorship for
developments will be encouraged and
pursued where the development meets
the following criteria:
- Appropriate to the concept and policies
in this plan;
- Resources are available to meet the
ongoing operating, maintenance and
renewal costs;
- Standards are high and there are
assurances of quality control; and
- The project is able to be completed, if
not all resources are able to be offered
initially.
(Strategic Plan objective D:1)
POLICY:
Sponsor recognition will be restricted
to permanent plaques at one location
within
each
substantial
project.
Commemorative plaques are not
permitted except as commemoration of
a significant event or person associated
with Hamilton Gardens.
35
5.0 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF HAMILTON GARDENS
5.6 SECURITY OF PARK ASSETS AND PEOPLE
Records suggest the number of incidents of
damage to park assets has generally been
increasing over the years. In response, the
following strategies have been implemented:
− Security guard patrols are provided in the
late afternoon and evening;
− Sensitive and valuable park assets are
mostly located within the fenced off Enclosed
Garden Sector with a single entrance
overlooked by the Information Centre. The
Enclosed Sector is closed from sunset until
7am. This area is alarmed at night with
motion sensors that set off alarms alerting
the monitoring centre and on-site guard;
− Suspicious activity within the park is
notified and monitored, often in liaison with
local police;
− Where possible, graffiti is removed or
damage is repaired immediately;
− Theft from cars is discouraged through
staff patrols, cameras and warning signs.
Several offenders have now been caught
through a programme of surveillance,
monitoring and reporting of suspicious
activity;
− Night-time vehicle barriers restrict vehicle
entry between 11pm and 6am.
Other strategies have been considered,
such as:
− Linking the security cameras directly
with the city monitoring centre through the
existing fibre optic network and a wireless
network so the response to any incident can
be immediate;
− More sensors linked to the contracted
security company and perhaps also linked
to the automatic irrigation system;
− More security patrols including patrol staff
being accompanied by dogs.
Most of the world’s botanic gardens within
cities are closed at night and there may
come a time when a security fence will be
required along the Cobham Drive frontage.
A disadvantage of developing an underpass
to Hamilton East, extending the river walk
south and possibly providing a bridge to
Melville, is that they allow more night time
activity and would provide more entry and
escape routes. This disadvantage could
be overcome with gates that are closed at
night.
Hamilton Gardens has had a good personal
safety record probably because it is heavily
used, with a continued staff presence and
strong sense of ownership. The personal
safety of staff and visitors is very important
for the long-term use and sustainability
of Hamilton Gardens. A single incident
can give a park an unwarranted negative
reputation.
The principles of Crime Prevention through
Environmental
Design
(CPTED)
can
minimise risk. For example, having open
clear sightlines to key areas such as car
parks, the playground and toilet entrances.
Apart from festival events or events in
the Pavilion and restaurant, access into
Hamilton Gardens is discouraged at night.
Entrance roads, car parks and paths that
lead to facilities regularly used at night are
lit at least to the standard for parks required
by the NZS 6701:1983, Code of Practice for
Road Lighting. In keeping with the Safe
Cities philosophy, access beyond these main
paths is discouraged with little permanent
lighting.
36
POLICY: Different forms of security will be used
to safeguard park assets. The Enclosed
Sector which accommodates the more
vulnerable garden features will be closed
and alarmed at night.
(Strategic Plan objective D:4)
POLICY: Where practical, consideration will be
given to improving the safety of park
visitors and their property through park
management, design and technology.
Park lighting will be provided only in
those areas promoted as available to the
public at night.
(Strategic Plan objective D:4)
Goal
To protect and sustain Hamilton Gardens
for future generations.
KEY ACTIONS
The following seven priorities are
proposed, subject to resources being
available:
1. Develop a Waikato wetland in the
upper area of the Valley Walk;
2. Develop value-added services for
event organisers;
3. Improve security systems and
processes;
4. Improve
plant
collection
management and recording;
5. Continue to make improvements
to water quality in various water
features. This may include dredging
silt from Turtle Lake;
6. Implement sustainable management
practices to minimise waste and
utilise energy and water efficiently;
and
7. Develop a system for recording and
interpreting information and items
of cultural or historic significance to
this park.
6.0 APPENDICES
6.1 IMPACT OF CHANGES TO THE PLANNING FRAMEWORK
Hamilton’s Urban Growth Strategy identifies
new links in the arterial roading network that
will have a significant impact on Hamilton
Gardens. An arterial connection called the E:1
Link is proposed through the horse paddock
at the eastern end of Hamilton Gardens.
This means the English Landscape Garden
proposed in the previous plan will no longer
be an option. Another planned arterial route
will run for a short distance along the opposite
riverbank roughly across from the Rogers Rose
Garden. The view of this road may eventually be
softened with planting but traffic noise is likely
to increase at the western end of Hamilton
Gardens.
Development of the Peacocke
Growth Cell on the opposite side of the river
will change the rural views currently seen from
the eastern riverbanks in Hamilton Gardens.
public consultation process in 2014. While the
Management Plan directs development, the
LTCCP process determines when funding may
be available. Currently the latter plan identifies
funding towards the completion of the Tropical
Garden, the Tudor Garden and the Surrealist
Garden by 2018.
The Treaty of Waitangi Act (1975) recognises
the relationship of Tangata Whenua with their
ancestral lands, waahi tapu and other taonga.
The Reserves Act requires Council to consult
and have regard to the views of iwi and hapu
for any development or use that may affect
these values. In August 2008 Waikato-Tainui
and the Crown signed a Deed of Settlement
recognising joint management of the Waikato
River, its banks, river bed, water and its streams
and waterways, which includes portions of
Hamilton Gardens. The primary objective is to
protect the health and well being of the river.
In 2003 a management plan, Nga Tapuwae O
Hotumauea - Maori Landmarks on Riverside
Reserves Management Plan, was prepared to
provide further specificity for the management
of 17 historic pa sites located within riverside
reserves: one pa site is Te Parapara.
The City of Hamilton Proposed District Plan
- The reviewed District Plan identifies the
Hamilton Gardens site, including the Hamilton
East Cemetery, as a Recreation Major
Zone. This zone can accommodate a broad
range of recreational and cultural activities,
including a cafe or restaurant. Much of the
Hamilton Gardens site is also covered by an
Environmental Protection Overlay which is
designed to protect natural gully and riverbank
areas and preserve ecological corridors within
the city.
The Local Government Amendment Act
(2012) places an emphasis on the role of
assets to deliver a service to the community.
An asset such as a park exists and is
maintained appropriately to deliver a service,
whether the park service is a sports venue
or the conservation of heritage values. This
fundamental requirement is reflected in this
Draft Management Plan, where the emphasis
The Long-Term Council Community Plan
(LTCCP or 10-Year Plan) - The existing LTCCP
includes proposed development at Hamilton
Gardens over the next 10 years. This plan
will be subject to its three yearly review and
is now on strategy and service delivery, rather
than the traditional emphasis on protecting
park values.
An Activity Management Plan (2012) has been
developed and defines the levels of service
Council will provide and the associated budget
requirements. It covers a 10-year period and
is formally reviewed at three-year intervals,
although can be reviewed more frequently. The
next formal review is due late 2013/early 2014.
Hamilton City Council’s vision is “to be a
smart city in every way and in everything we
do”.
The vision incorporates the Council’s
goals and aspirations for Hamilton. Hamilton
Gardens makes a contribution to eight of these
outcomes, as follows:
− Hamilton has a strong productive economy
and we build on our economic strengths;
− Our city grows and prospers in a sustainable
way;
− We operate efficiently and provide exceptional
service;
− The city takes a leadership role regionally and
nationally;
− Hamilton embraces the Waikato River and it
is the focal point of our city;
− We value, preserve and protect Hamilton’s
natural green environment;
− Our city is attractive, well designed and
compact with outstanding architecture and
distinctive public spaces; and
− Our city is a fun place to live with a vibrant
arts scene.
6.2 SCHEDULE OF LAND COVERED BY THIS PLAN
LOT
NUMBER
PLAN
NUMBER
AREA
(Hectares)
DESCRIPTION
GAZETTE NOTICE
CLASSIFYING
LAND PARCEL
CT No
DOCUMENT
No
LEGAL PURPOSE
(Classification)
Sec 4
SO 353272
0.1607
NA
2008 pg 2229
435662
7829125.1
Recreation Reserve
Sec 8
SO 353272
0.0192
NA
2008 pg 2229
435662
7829125.1
Recreation Reserve
Sec 9
SO 353272
0.1457
NA
2008 pg 2229
435662
7829125.1
Recreation Reserve
Sec 26
NA
1.7123
Hamilton East Town Belt
1985 pg 141
435662
H571265
Recreation Reserve
Pt Sec 23
NA
4.2295
Hamilton East Town Belt
1985 pg 141
435662
H571265
Recreation Reserve
Pt Sec 24
NA
2.6157
Hamilton East Town Belt
1985 pg 141
435662
H571265
Recreation Reserve
Pt Sec 25
NA
1.5563
Hamilton East Town Belt
1985 pg 141
435662
H571265
Recreation Reserve
Pt Sec 27
NA
1.6792
Hamilton East Town Belt
1985 pg 141
435662
H571265
Recreation Reserve
Pt Sec 28
NA
2.3083
Hamilton East Town Belt
1985 pg 141
435662
H571265
Recreation Reserve
Pt Sec 31
NA
0.9096
Hamilton East Town Belt
1985 pg 141
435662
H571265
Recreation Reserve
Pt Sec 30
NA
2.3560
Hamilton East Town Belt
1985 pg 141
435662
H571265
Recreation Reserve
Pt Sec 29
NA
1.8723
Hamilton East Town Belt
2008 pg 2228
435662
78929123.1
Recreation Reserve
Allot 483
NA
11.6850
Kirikiriroa Parish
1985 pg 141
SA37A/148
H571265
Recreation Reserve
Allot 252A
NA
19.1718
Kirikiriroa Parish
1984 pg 3174
452526
H542615
Recreation Reserve
Sec 1
SO 401691
0.4145
NA
2008 pg 4259
452526
7980435.1
Recreation Reserve
TOTAL AREA
50.8361
37
7.0 INDEX
SECTION
Access
Accession plan
Asset maintenance
Baroque Theatre Garden
Bussaco Woodland
Cafe
Camellia Garden
Car parks
Chartwell Room
Cemetery
Chinese Scholar’s Garden
Chinoiserie Garden
Classification
Cobham Drive crossing
Commercial activities
Community involvement
Concept
Concept Plan
Concept Garden
Commemorative plaques
CPTED
Cultivar Garden Collection
Customer service
Cycleways
Design Statements
Development priorities
Disability access
Dogs
Dutch Renaissance Garden
E:1 Link
Echo Bank Bush
Economic benefit
Education
Egyptian Garden
Enclosed gardens
English Flower Garden
Erosion control
Event venues
Events
Exclusive use
Fantasy Garden Collection
Formal Landscape Garden
Friends of Hamilton Gardens
Gardens Cafe
Girl Guides
Governors Lawn
Hamilton East Park Cemetery
Hamilton Gardens Pavilion
Hamilton Light Horse Club
Hardy Training Centre
Herb Garden
Hillside Lawn
Historic features
Horse paddocks
Horticulture Education Centre
Indian Char Bagh Garden
Information Centre
Interpretation
4.5
1.3
5.1
5.2
2.2
2.2
3.2
5.4
2.2
3.2
Location Map
4.2
2.2
5.1
2.2
2.2
1.1
4.5
3.2
5.4
4.2
5.5
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.3
5.3
2.2
2.2
3.3
5.6
2.2
3.2
4.5
Location Map
1.3
5.2
5.3
5.5
4.5
4.3
Location Map
2.2
4.5
2.2
5.1
4.1
4.4
2.2
2.2
Location Map
2.2
3.4
3.1
4.2
3.1
4.2
4.1
4.2
2.2
2.2
3.2
5.5
3.2
5.4
5.4
Location Map
2.2
4.3
Location Map
2.2
5.1
4.2
5.4
5.4
Location Map
2.2
2.2
5.1
5.1
5.4
4.4
5.4
2.2
2.3
1.3
2.3
Italian Renaissance Garden
Japanese Garden of
Contemplation
Jetty
Key Actions
Kitchen Garden
Lake
Landscape Garden Collection
Landfill management
Leases and licences
Lighting
Maintenance
Management Plan process
Marketing
Mansfield’s Garden
Marketing
Medieval Garden
Memorials
Modernist Garden
New Zealand Cultivar Garden
Narrows Redoubt
Nursery
Paradise Garden Collection
Parking
Paths
Pavilion
Pest management
Picturesque Garden
Plant collections
Playground
Productive Garden Collection
Quality Management Plan
Promotion
Remnant bush
Reserves Act
Rhododendron Lawn
River
2.2
2.2
Riverbank
5.4
Location Map
End of sections
2-5
2.2
See Turtle Lake
2.2
5.2
5.4
5.6
3.3
5.2
5.3
5.5
1.1
1.3
3.1
2.2
3.1
2.2
3.3
5.5
2.2
2.2
5.1
Location Map
2.2
Location Map
2.2
4.5
4.5
4.2
5.1
2.2
5.3
4.3
Location Map
2.2
3.3
5.1
5.2
1.3
3.1
2.2
5.1
1.1
1.2
2.2
3.4
River walk
Roads
Rogers Rose Garden
Safety
School use
Security
Signage
Southern Links
Sponsorship
Strategic Plan
Surrealist Garden
Sustainable Backyard Garden
Sustainable management
Te Parapara Garden
Toilet facilities
Tourist promotion
Timeline
Treaty of Waitangi
Tropical Garden
Tudor Garden
Tour boats
Turtle Lake
Utilities
Valley Walk
Vehicle access
Victorian Flower Garden
Views
Waikato River
Walkways
Water quality
Wildlife
Wintec Horticultural Education
Centre
3.4
5.1
Location Map
3.4
4.5
Location Map
2.2 B
4.5
5.6
2.2
4.5
5.6
4.4
5.6
2.3
3.3
5.5
4.5
Location Map
5.5
1.4
2.2
2.2
1.3
5.1
2.2
3.2
Location Map
3.1
4.1
2.1
1.3
2.2
2.2
5.4
5.2
Location Map
3.3
2.2
3.3
4.5
2.2
3.4
5.3
3.4
3.4
4.5
5.2
5.1
2.2
4.4
5.4
Location Map